The state-run National News Agency reported Monday that Bengalese domestic worker identified as “Rihanna Aktar Sawbat Ali” (born in 1981), set herself on fire at her employer’s house in the Chouf town of Daraya. The agency added that the worker was transferred to the Central Hospital in Mazboud, where she died of her wounds.
However, the family’s attorney Bilal Abou Chacra explained in a statement to LBCI that the relationship between the worker and her employers is “very good,” noting that the incident took place last Thursday.
Detailing the accident, the attorney said that the worker was preparing coffee at five in the morning but the stove was not working properly, she left the gas open and went to bring a lighter, and when she tried to light it again, the gas had spread in the kitchen, causing the eruption of a fire that caught her instantly.
Abou Chacra pointed out that her employer tried to save her and put out the fire, but she had already sustained severe burns all over her body.
“She was then transported to the hospital for treatment, but died today (Monday) of her wounds,” he stated.