An 11-year-old girl has died and several others are in hospital after 'pest control' chemicals were found in a block of flats in Tower Hamlets. Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, December 11), there were reports of a young girl who was unresponsive at the Nida House flats on Sutton Street, Shadwell. The girl was rushed to an East London hospital where she tragically died a short time later. Other residents in the building also reported feeling unwell and three people were taken to hospital, where they remain.

A number of people were taken ill at a block of flats where chemicals were found (Picture: BPM Media)

An 11-year-old girl has died after collapsing at a block of flats in London where ‘a number of chemicals’ were later discovered.


Three others have been taken to hospital after becoming unwell at the site in Shadwell.


It’s believed the chemicals, discovered by the fire brigade, were used for pest control.


Other residents in the block were evacuated and are now being looked after by the local authority.


The Metropolitan Police said it was called just after 4pm on Saturday by paramedics who had received reports that the girl was unresponsive at the flat in Sutton Street.


She was taken to hospital and died shortly after.


The force said the girl’s death is currently being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.


London Fire Brigade said it was called to the scene just after 7pm the same day to help police with their investigations.




An 11-year-old girl has died and several others are in hospital after 'pest control' chemicals were found in a block of flats in Tower Hamlets. Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, December 11), there were reports of a young girl who was unresponsive at the Nida House flats on Sutton Street, Shadwell. The girl was rushed to an East London hospital where she tragically died a short time later. Other residents in the building also reported feeling unwell and three people were taken to hospital, where they remain.

The flats were evacuated as a precaution (Picture: BPM Media)

It was then that the chemicals were discovered.


A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘A special post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course. At this time the death is being treated as unexplained.


‘A number of other people reported feeling unwell in the same building and received treatment. Three people, no further details, remain in hospital.


‘Other residents in the block were evacuated as a precaution and are being looked after by the local authority.


‘A sweep of the building was carried out by the London Fire Brigade and a quantity of chemicals – believed to be used for pest control were discovered.


‘They will be safely removed and an investigation will be carried out to determine how they came to be in the building


‘Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.’


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