Egypt deaths: It all smacks’ of a cover-up 24hr guard put on horror hotel room
GUARDS were last night put on 24-hour watch at the Egyptian hotel linked to the mystery deaths of a British couple amid angry claims of a cover-up.
A judge and his investigators are the only people allowed in to the sealed-off room at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic, where John and Susan Cooper fell fatally ill within hours of each other.
Specialist engineers yesterday said they had found no air conditioning defects in the room and ruled the couple were not gassed.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism continued to say there was no “criminal activity” in either death and police still insisted the Burnley couple died of “natural causes”.
But with other guests reporting sickness at the hotel in Hurghada, some feared the Egyptian tourism industry was being protected.
Travel claims lawyer Nick Harris insisted: “It smacks of a cover-up.
“I think it could be either carbon monoxide poisoning, food poisoning or water poisoning.
“I’m speculating but we’re dealing with a hotel with hygiene complaints and it seems officials are doing all they can to put the blame elsewhere.
Sceptical
“I’ve been dealing with group actions in Egypt for many, many years. I’m sceptical we will get answers.”
Tour operator Thomas Cook moved all 300 Brits out of the Aqua Magic after the tragedy and removed the hotel from its website
But it is still offering customers deals to fly out to its sister hotel.
Mr Cooper, 69, died on Tuesday, apparently from a heart attack. Within hours his wife, 63, collapsed in the same room. She was pronounced dead later in hospital.
Daughter Kelly, 40, was last night still in Hurghada waiting for a second autopsy. She says her parents were healthy and their deaths are linked to something in their room.
A senior source at the Aqua Magic told the Sunday People: “The room is closed. No guests are using it. It is guarded 24 hours a day.
“The judge and his team are the only people allowed entry. No police officers have been inside as there is no police investigation.”
While the Coopers’ room was in lockdown, it was business as usual in the rest of the hotel. Guests were still partying and kitchens and restaurants were open.
Thomas Cook said it had not “ruled anything in or out”. A hotel source insisted: “There is absolutely no danger in staying here.”