Student, 16, dies after assault

A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a 16-year-old student from Qatar who was attacked in a seaside town in east sussex.

He suffered a head injury in an attack outside a take-away in hastings shortly before midnight on Friday.

The teenager, who had spent five weeks in hastings, died at kings college hospital in London on Sunday. He was due to return home next weekend.

sussex police said they were treating it as a racially-motivated murder.

three men, aged 17, 18 and 20, have been arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

'tragic death'

The attack happened during an altercation between the teenager and his friends and a group of local youths outside the USA fried chicken and kebab house, at the junction of robertson street and the seafront.

Det Ch insp graham pratt, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault to contact police.

"It was a busy time of the evening and there were many young people in the area. I am sure many of them would have seen what happened.

"The young man was a visitor to hastings and his death is indeed tragic," he added. "Our thoughts are with his family."

Police said they had increased their patrols in the area and were working with language schools in the area to reassure students.

More than 30,000 foreign language students visit hastings and the neighbouring Rother area each summer.

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Monday, August 25, 2008 |

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