Demanding Accountability for the Death of three young American women in the latest Carbon Monoxide Tragedy in Belize

In February, three young women from Revere, Massachusetts—Kaoutar Naqqad (23), Imane Mallah (24), and Wafae El-Arar (26)—traveled to Belize’s Royal Kahal Beach Resort, expecting a safe, relaxing vacation. Instead, on February 22, resort staff discovered their room empty of life. The women had already died, victims of acute carbon monoxide poisoning—a result of a clear failure in safety protocols.

As is always the case in these horrible tragedies, initial speculation pointed to alcohol or THC gummies, but those close to the victims categorically refuted such claims. Subsequent forensic tests confirmed the truth: a faulty water heater, a hazard previously reported by guests, had leaked an invisible, odorless gas into their room. With no carbon monoxide detectors installed to provide any warning, these preventable deaths occurred due to gross, inexcusable negligence.

A Pattern of Negligence: Parallels with Past Tragedies

The tragedy in Belize is not an isolated incident. It painfully mirrors a case at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in the Bahamas—a case that Attorney Thomas Scolaro handled. At Sandals, three American tourists—Michael Phillips, Robbie Phillips, and Vincent Chiarella—lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning, while Vincent’s wife was left in critical condition. Despite early signs of illness and an opportunity for intervention, the absence of functioning carbon monoxide detectors allowed a deadly gas to claim lives.

In both cases, basic safety measures were ignored. Whether it was the failure to repair a known defect or the decision not to install a simple, life-saving detector, the negligent choices of those responsible have cost lives. Investigations revealed that in each instance, prior warnings had been dismissed, and subsequent efforts to rectify the problem came only after a tragedy had unfolded.

These cases share a common, disturbing truth: when a property owner or resort chooses profits over people, no amount of reassurance or temporary fixes can undo the damage. The victims of these tragedies were caught in a web of indifference—a stark reminder that every moment without proper safety measures puts lives at risk.

Scolaro Law: Heralding Justice for Carbon Monoxide Victims

For years, Thomas Scolaro has been on the front lines, fighting against the corporate negligence that leads to such preventable tragedies. With a deep understanding of both domestic and international law, his relentless advocacy has turned the tide in some of the most challenging carbon monoxide poisoning cases.

One case, in particular, stands out—a situation where a neglected boiler in a Florida hotel claimed the life of a young man and nearly killed his father. Scolaro’s tireless efforts not only secured significant recoveries for the victims’ families but also spurred legislative changes to mandate carbon monoxide detectors in Florida residential and commercial buildings. His track record speaks volumes: from breaking through liability caps in cruise cases to securing multi-million-dollar verdicts, Thomas Scolaro has consistently proven that when negligence threatens lives, decisive legal action is the only remedy.

In addition to the Florida hotel case, Scolaro represented several college students who fell victim to carbon monoxide exposure while sleeping on campus. He recently handled two internationally publicized toxic exposure cases:  One involved the wrongful death of a retired man following carbon monoxide exposure that resulted in a $11,750,000 settlement, the other resulted in a $2,300,000 settlement for the death of a young toddler who ingested a highly toxic substance. Read more about our firm and about our results.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer—but its prevention is well within our grasp. The installation of detectors, routine equipment maintenance, and stringent safety protocols are simple steps that should never be overlooked. When these measures are ignored, the consequences are catastrophic, as these cases so tragically demonstrate.

A Call to Action

To honor the memory of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El-Arar and support their grieving families, please consider visiting their GoFundMe pages.

Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El-Arar were vibrant young lives, full of promise, taken too soon by preventable utter neglect. Their stories, along with similar tragedies like the Sandals case, underline one indisputable fact: safety is non-negotiable, and accountability must be demanded.

That is what Scolaro Law is dedicated to achieve in every carbon monoxide poisoning case. We strive to hold negligent parties accountable and ensuring that such preventable tragedies never happen again. Our team brings 100+ years of combined experience to personal injury cases, fighting for justice and maximizing compensation for victims, our sole practice is dedicated to advocating for individuals whose lives have been upended by inexcusable negligence.

If you have any questions or comments, call our firm at (305) 424-2300 or contact us directly by clicking here.