A three-month-old baby died overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday in the sports hall of the Ter Apel centre for asylum seekers in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands.
The information, carried by the Dutch daily Het Parool, was confirmed by the agency in charge of the reception of asylum seekers, COA. The cause of the infant’s death was not yet known and was being investigated, a COA spokesperson said.
“The staff of the agency is deeply shocked by this terrible event. It is particularly hard for Ter Apel,” the organisation said in a press release quoted by Het Parool.
The agency declined to specify the nationality or sex of the baby or how it ended up at the centre. “A feeling of sadness and helplessness reigns among the residents and the staff of the centre,” Ter Apel stated, adding that “adapted support has been provided for them.”
Due to lack of space at Ter Apel, around 700 people had to sleep outdoors on Tuesday night.
The center has been facing a massive influx of asylum seekers for several months now.
