11-year-old dies of heatstroke, dehydration in Kelantan

 

On Monday, the meteorological department said seven areas in the Peninsula were in the warning category of hot weather after recording maximum temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: An 11-year-old boy from Kampung Perupok in Bachok, Kelantan, died of heatstroke and dehydration last Tuesday.

The victim, Syamil Aqil, is said to have died at 9.27am while receiving treatment at a clinic, according to Sinar Harian.

Syamil’s mother, who wanted to be known only as Wanie, said an autopsy confirmed that her son had died of heatstroke and dehydration.

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She said Syamil, the eldest of three siblings, had spent a lot of time cycling on the first two days of Aidilfitri. He then developed a fever on Monday and had diarrhoea.

“I monitored his temperature every hour, but it wasn’t very high. It was around 37 to 38 degrees Celsius only.

“On the fourth day of Hari Raya, after dawn, he started looking really weak. I then told my husband that we should bring him to the clinic. Then, Syamil started having cramps,” she said.

An autopsy was carried out at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital. Syamil was laid to rest at the Kampung Sungai Muslim cemetery on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Bachok police chief Ismail Jamaluddin confirmed receiving a report on the incident.

On Monday, the meteorological department said seven areas in the Peninsula were in the warning category of hot weather after recording maximum temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.

It also advised people to take extra precautions by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily to stay cool and hydrated, as the heat wave was linked to hazy conditions. - FMT