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DETENTION: Yarl's Wood

A female detainee understood to be a Jamaican national has died at Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre.

The 40-year-old is believed to have died suddenly on Sunday, March 30, and the police have launched an investigation into the circumstances, the Home Office said.

The detention centre, in Bedfordshire, is the main removal centre for women and families facing deportation. It is operated by Serco, a private security firm.

Campaigners have long been calling for the closure of the centre, including high-profile supporters such as author Zadie Smith.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the woman may have suffered a heart attack and was heard complaining of feeling unwell not long after waking up.

There have been 12 deaths at the centre in recent years, the Guardian reported.

A spokesman for the NHS East of England ambulance service said: "We were called to Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre at 8.17am after receiving reports that a woman was in cardiac arrest. We attended along with the air ambulance service.”

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has also been informed.

A Serco spokesperson said it was "cooperating fully" with the relevant authorities.

"A 40-year old female resident at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre collapsed on Sunday morning soon after getting up," a statement read.

"She was immediately tended by medical staff from the Centre and by paramedics from the NHS East of England Ambulance Service, but did not regain consciousness and sadly died soon after.

"Bedfordshire Police and officials from the Coroner's Office attended the Centre to examine the scene and begin an investigation. Serco is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in their enquiries into this tragic event. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm the death of a female detainee at Yarl's Wood on March 30.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further as the death is subject to a police investigation. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed in line with standard procedure."

The Home Office said it could not comment on the identity of the individual involved.

Next of kin have been informed.