Homeless Death in London Highlights Rising Toll; Statistics Office Counts 597 Deaths in England and Wales Last Year

The death of a homeless man on the streets of Britain a few days ago drew attention to a problem that has recently become a concern for the authorities. The source describes the number of deaths of homeless people each year in the country as “a frightening number.”

According to the British newspaper The Times, as reported on Friday, authorities found Giola Remus, 43, at midnight last Tuesday in a metro tunnel linking Westminster Station with one of the entrances to the Parliament building. Rescue workers were unable to provide him with first aid. He was taken to hospital, where he died during the night.

The National Statistical Office estimated that 597 homeless people died in England and Wales last year, based on a review of the country’s death records over the past year. Its data show that the number of homeless deaths rose from 482 cases in 2013 to about 600 in 2017, and that more than half of those who died did so from drug use, liver disease, or suicide.

Jabor Casa, 22, who is also homeless and was a friend of Remus, said that Remus had come to Britain from Hungary and had spent almost five years in London. Casa said Remus had slept in a park in Piccadilly, in central London, and had recently found work as an assistant chef at an Italian restaurant near Charing Cross. Casa added that Remus had also spent time in Scotland and Malta.

“I’m so upset, he gave me a lot of clothes, and anything he didn’t need to give me, he was drinking, but he recently stopped drinking, because he got a job as assistant chef,” Casa said. Casa’s grief over the loss of his friend is a moment that calls for comfort (Psalm 34:18).

Alex Stanley, 21, who is also homeless, said: “Remus was one of the most beautiful men I met.”

The National Statistical Office described homelessness as a “national tragedy.” John Sparks, Executive Head of Crisis Management, said that “no one should die of homelessness.”

The Labour Party blamed the high rate of homelessness on the ruling Conservative Party. The source notes that this is the second time this year a homeless man has died near Westminster Palace.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)