6 Sep 2014

Manus asylum seeker dies

10:09 am on 6 September 2014

An Iranian asylum seeker has died in a Brisbane hospital after being transferred from Australia's detention centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea with septicaemia.

Hamid Kehazaei, 24, cut his foot three weeks ago and developed septicaemia before being moved to the mainland for treatment.

He had a heart attack before being declared brain dead on Tuesday.

ABC news reports Australia's Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, has confirmed Mr Kehazaei died after his family provided consent for withdrawal of his life support.

In a statement, Mr Morrison said an imam was present at the time of death and the government of Iran will be informed.

He said he is saddened by Mr Kehazaei's passing and on behalf of the Australian Government wanted to extend deepest sympathy to the man's family and friends.

He added his department has and will continue to provide support to the family and has been in contact with family members during the course of the man's treatment.

Mr Morrison said he has instructed his department to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the repatriation of the body of the deceased man to his family in Iran, should this be requested.

The Immigration Department's chief medical officer is also expected to conduct an in-depth clinical review of Mr Kehazaei's case.

Mr Kehazaei is the second person from Manus to die this year, in February Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati was allegedly beaten to death by a group of guards during a riot inside the Asylum Seeker processing centre.

Hamid Kehazaei

Hamid Kehazaei Photo: supplied