Moroccan Migrant's Death in Italy: Autopsy Reveals 'Blood in Lungs,' Conflicting Accounts Emerge

Preliminary autopsy results for Abdelrahim Faqir, a Moroccan migrant who died in Italy, reveal the presence of "blood in the lungs," strongly suggesting asphyxiation as the cause of death. The findings, which emerged from a six-hour autopsy, indicate "signs of pressure on the lungs."

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blood in the lungs

Lawyer Fabio Anselmo stated that the initial results point to "asphyxiation due to pressure from two police officers, which caused the lungs to fill with blood." Anselmo added that these findings align with pre-autopsy scans showing Faqir died from a blocked airway after his chest was pressed against asphalt for approximately five minutes during a restraint procedure.

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asphyxiation due to pressure from two police officers, which caused the lungs to fill with blood

However, Gabriele Bordoni, the lawyer representing the police officers, disputes this narrative. Bordoni stated that the expert consulted by the police found no typical signs of pressure preventing breathing, nor any evidence of violence or fractures to the ribs or bones. He argued that the presence of blood in the lungs does not automatically confirm death by pressure, suggesting it could be a result of resuscitation attempts by paramedics.

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no signs of pressure that prevents breathing, nor any signs of violence, or fractures in the ribs or bones

Italian authorities began the autopsy on Friday. Initial CT scan results from Thursday also suggested the possibility of death by asphyxiation, with blood filling the lungs due to pressure. Media reports indicate damage to the respiratory tract, believed to stem from the man being held chest-down on the ground for five minutes. According to the newspaper "Il Messaggero," this pressure, based on preliminary examinations, caused blood to exit his lungs, potentially leading to his death.

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the presence of blood in the lungs does not necessarily mean that death resulted from pressure