Inquest opens into death of asylum seeker on Dorset barge
27 year old Leonard Farruku from Albania died on the Bibby Stockholm
An inquest's heard how an asylum seeker is believed to have taken his own life on board the migrant barge in Portland Port.
The Dorset coroner says there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Leonard Farruku.
The 27-year-old from Albania was found unresponsive on the Bibby Stockholm last week (12th December).
His death prompted criticism from charities concerned about conditions on board the barge.
Coroner Rachael Griffin told the Bournemouth hearing:
"At the time of his death, Mr Farruku was residing on the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port in Dorset.
"He was a single gentleman and he was unemployed at the time of his death.
"He died on the 12th December 2023 on the Bibby Stockholm.
"Police and paramedics had been called to reports of an unresponsive male. The gentleman was confirmed deceased at the scene."
The inquest was told that Mr Farruku's body was formally identified by his cousin Maranglen Farruku, and he is being supported by officers of Dorset Police.
The coroner said that she would be requesting statements for the full inquest from Mr Farruku's family, the Home Office, Portland Port Authority, security providers Isca, Landry and King which operates the Bibby Stockholm as well as Dorset Council.
Ms Griffin adjourned the hearing until a pre-inquest review to be held on July 9th.