Family of dead boy plans to sue shopping mall

Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — The family of the boy who died after sticking his head in an electronic garbage disposal plans to sue the shopping center for negligence. Emad Al-Alasi said his eight-year-old nephew Ali Al-Alasi died on Friday at Al-Rashid Shopping Center after misusing the electronic garbage disposal. “The whole family was shopping at the shopping center last Friday. We were having lunch in one of the restaurants at the shopping center and Ali got up to throw the litter and waste into the garbage. He was hit by the hydraulics several times in the head,” said Al-Alasi. He added the security guards interfered and pulled him out but Ali just fell unconscious. “The paramedics came to resuscitate him but all their efforts were to no avail. The mother is hysterical. She is in complete denial that her son just died. Her own husband passed away only five months ago and Ali is her only son,” said Al-Alasi. He also said the shopping center administration should have installed the garbage disposals a few meters above the ground. “There were no signs on the garbage disposal warning people that it is automated and could lead to potential hazards. He was my brother’s only son and I blame the shopping center for the entire incident. We received Ali’s body from the morgue of King Fahd Hospital,” said Al-Alasi. He added the body shows that he was injured in the head and that blood was gushing out of his wound and behind his ears. Madinah Police spokesman Col. Fahd Al-Ghannam said there is no criminal charges on the incident. “The police have looked into the surveillance footage. The incident was purely accidental and there is no evidence of any criminal charges involved. The family received the body of the victim and the shopping center replaced the electronic garbage disposal with regular ones,” said Al-Ghannam. Lawyer Musaed Al-Jubairy said the incident showed great negligence on behalf of the shopping center. “Having such a hazardous machine in a public place where adults and children are free to walk around is a grave mistake. The shopping center did not even put up signs warning people of the potential hazards of the garbage disposals,” said Al-Jubairy. He added even if the electronic garbage disposal did not pose any immediate danger as it operates, the shopping center should have predicted its malfunction. The family of the victim are entitled for compensation for their loss.