SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – A 37-year-old man who injured two fingers at a football match was advised to undergo a simple surgical procedure but died in the operating room, his brother told Rudaw.

Kamaran Hussein said that his brother, Alan, was accompanied to a private hospital in Sulaimani after the football injury.

“We went with Alan to the hospital for surgery, but after four hours they handed over his dead body,” the brother said.

He said his brother did not “have any disease and his health was very good. The doctor assured us the surgery would be simple and easy and that is why we are suspicious about his death.”

Dr. Adil Osman of the Sulaimani Health Directorate told Rudaw that the death would be investigated.

“We have not received any complaints regarding the matter. After we receive complaints we will begin our investigations and form a committee to follow up the reason behind (Alan’s) death,” he said.

Osman said he found it strange that someone who went to hospital for broken fingers ended up dead.