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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Diane Taylor

Death of detainee near Heathrow prompts immigration detention crisis fears

 Colnbrook detention centre. Combined with its neighbour Harmondsworth, it forms Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre, the largest detention centre in Europe.
Colnbrook detention centre. Combined with its neighbour Harmondsworth, it forms Heathrow immigration removal centre, the largest detention centre in Europe. Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Alamy

Lawyers and charities have predicted an unfolding crisis in immigration detention after the death of a detainee and reports of subsequent suicide attempts by others.

The Home Office confirmed that investigations had been launched by police and the prisons and probation ombudsman into the death of Frank Ospina on 26 March. He was being held at Colnbrook immigration removal centre near Heathrow next to the adjoining Harmondsworth immigration detention centre. He is believed to have been 39 and from Colombia. Detainees said he took his own life, although this has not been confirmed.

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