Abadan Teen Footballer in Coma Due to Heatstroke Passes Away

Hossam Najadi-Yousefi, a teenage footballer from Abadan, who fell into a coma due to heatstroke and delayed medical assistance during a club match, passed away on Friday, August 11. The match was held amidst severe heat and the absence of an ambulance and medical personnel on the field is cited as reasons for the death of the 16-year-old player from the 'Kianoush Arvand' team. Hossam Najadi-Yousefi suffered cardiac arrest in the 25th minute of the club match in Abadan between the teams 'Padideh' and 'Kianoush Arvand' on July 19. Officials from the local football association have attributed the scheduling of the match during the day and the extreme heat to the lack of lighting on the playing field. Previously, the Khuzestan Meteorological Organization had issued an orange alert for temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celsius and above for areas of the province until Sunday, July 25. The head of the Abadan Football Association, Mozafar Shami, had previously described the heat in Abadan as 'the second hell' in an interview with the Etemad newspaper. Following the death of Hossam Najadi-Yousefi, the head of the Abadan Football Association criticized the lack of medical care at the Ahvaz hospital and club discrimination, stating that hospital officials have not provided any explanation regarding the cause of Hossam Najadi-Yousefi's death. Etemad newspaper reported, citing Fazl Abadi, that the teenager had not undergone any specialized tests or examinations during his hospitalization in the hospitals of Abadan and Ahvaz, except for one brain scan. Fazl Abadi also criticized the discrimination during the scheduling of matches for well-known teams and youth club football. According to this local sports official, while the match for the 'Naft Abadan' football team was held at 9:30 PM, the game between 'Padideh' and 'Kianoush Arvand' was played at 5 PM on July 19. The head of the Abadan Football Association has not provided any explanation regarding how the lighting issue for the 'Naft Abadan' football club will be resolved. Previously, Azam Bahrami, an environmental activist and researcher, emphasized the importance of government policies for protecting citizen health, describing it as a 'missing link' in Iran. According to Ms. Bahrami, governments in Iran have not shown that they value citizen health in relation to environmental health. The heat closure or an excuse to cover up the government's inability to provide electricity; the 'jacuzzi-like' waters of the Persian Gulf under the microscope of the Washington Post; unbearable and exhausting. The water and electricity crisis in Iran; Deputy: 'We will pursue the necessary water rights.' The possibility of extending nationwide closures in Iran; dissatisfaction among oil and gas workers with the government's decision. Record temperatures above 50 degrees in six cities in Iran; an unprecedented heatwave in parts of America.