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UK children found dead in Corfu UK children found dead in Corfu
(10 minutes later)
Two British children have been found dead in a hotel room on the island of Corfu, Greek police have said.Two British children have been found dead in a hotel room on the island of Corfu, Greek police have said.
Their father and his partner were found unconscious in the same hotel room and were in comas in a nearby hospital.Their father and his partner were found unconscious in the same hotel room and were in comas in a nearby hospital.
It is not known how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died but police had suspected they may have been poisoned.It is not known how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died but police had suspected they may have been poisoned.
The family, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was found by a cleaner in a luxury hotel in the village of Gouvia.The family, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was found by a cleaner in a luxury hotel in the village of Gouvia.
The Foreign Office confirmed the father's name is Neil Shepherd and his partner is Ruth Beatson.The Foreign Office confirmed the father's name is Neil Shepherd and his partner is Ruth Beatson.
The stomach contents of all the four people have been sent to a university on the mainland for toxicology tests Police spokesmanThe stomach contents of all the four people have been sent to a university on the mainland for toxicology tests Police spokesman
The children's natural mother has been informed of their deaths.The children's natural mother has been informed of their deaths.
A police spokesman in Greece said post-mortem examinations were to be carried out on Friday and toxicology tests would show whether poison was the cause of death.A police spokesman in Greece said post-mortem examinations were to be carried out on Friday and toxicology tests would show whether poison was the cause of death.
Mushrooms 'Mushrooms'
The children's father, 38, and his 28-year-old partner are in the intensive care unit of a local hospital, where they are said to be in a critical condition.The children's father, 38, and his 28-year-old partner are in the intensive care unit of a local hospital, where they are said to be in a critical condition.
The family were on holiday over the half-term breakThe family were on holiday over the half-term break
Stefanos Gasteratos, a pathologist at Corfu Hospital, said: "The cause of death is under investigation. First indications show the ingestion of a powerful poison.Stefanos Gasteratos, a pathologist at Corfu Hospital, said: "The cause of death is under investigation. First indications show the ingestion of a powerful poison.
"The results of the toxicology test will confirm if this is the case. The investigation is continuing and will shed more light on the situation.""The results of the toxicology test will confirm if this is the case. The investigation is continuing and will shed more light on the situation."
A Greek police spokesman said food poisoning, particularly mushrooms, was a possible cause. The hotel denied anyone else had been taken ill.A Greek police spokesman said food poisoning, particularly mushrooms, was a possible cause. The hotel denied anyone else had been taken ill.
But the BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, later said the cause of death remained a "mystery" because sources at Corfu Hospital had said early tests suggested the family had not consumed anything poisonous.But the BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, later said the cause of death remained a "mystery" because sources at Corfu Hospital had said early tests suggested the family had not consumed anything poisonous.
Fishing villageFishing village
The family was reported to be on a week's holiday booked with Thomas Cook during the school half-term break.The family was reported to be on a week's holiday booked with Thomas Cook during the school half-term break.
A spokesman for the travel agency said: "At this stage it is not possible to speculate on the causes, however we are working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family.A spokesman for the travel agency said: "At this stage it is not possible to speculate on the causes, however we are working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family.
Both the hotel and the locals will feel this very heavily Travel agent Noel JosephidesBoth the hotel and the locals will feel this very heavily Travel agent Noel Josephides
"Thomas Cook expresses its deepest sympathy at this time.""Thomas Cook expresses its deepest sympathy at this time."
The Louis Corcyra hotel, where the family were found, is located in Gouvia, a small fishing village about five miles north of Corfu town. It is considered to be a relatively upmarket destination.The Louis Corcyra hotel, where the family were found, is located in Gouvia, a small fishing village about five miles north of Corfu town. It is considered to be a relatively upmarket destination.
The Louis Corcyra has strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel.The Louis Corcyra has strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel.
Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu, and travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu, and travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.
Travel agent Noel Josephides told BBC News: "Both the hotel and the locals will feel this very heavily."Travel agent Noel Josephides told BBC News: "Both the hotel and the locals will feel this very heavily."
The family's home in Horbury, Wakefield, was empty on Thursday.The family's home in Horbury, Wakefield, was empty on Thursday.