Newsroom
A 29-year-old man has died after a series of events in Nicosia involving a stolen vehicle, a crash, and a medical emergency, with police continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to police, the man, identified as Karam Labbad, a Syrian national and resident of Lakatamia, was first located by officers around 3:30 p.m. yesterday in a Nicosia area where he appeared to be in need of assistance. He was taken to Nicosia General Hospital for medical checks.
Shortly before that, at around 3:15 p.m., police had received a report that a suspicious individual had entered private property in Nicosia and stolen a vehicle.
Minutes later, at around 3:30 p.m., authorities were informed of a traffic collision on Evagorou Avenue, where a car had crashed into a concrete barrier on the pavement. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle abandoned and the driver missing.
Further police checks later established that the crashed car was the same vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier, and that it had been driven by the same 29-year-old man who had already been taken to hospital.
Although doctors initially reported no visible external injuries, the man’s condition deteriorated rapidly after admission. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after developing respiratory failure and signs of shock.
Despite efforts to stabilise him, the hospital later informed police shortly before 3:00 a.m. that he had died.
His family has been notified.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing into the exact circumstances leading to his death. A post-mortem examination has been ordered to determine the cause.
Police from Nicosia Central, Omorfitas station, and the Traffic Department are continuing inquiries.
