Tributes pour in as Irish bar worker suddenly dies in Tenerife after cancer and Covid diagnosis

Samantha Kimene passed away just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer and Covid-19

Samantha's uncle, Arthurs Kimens, said Samantha collapsed at work and underwent treatments in the hospital, but unfortunately, she couldn't be saved.

The young Irish woman had been living in Playa de las Américas, in the south of Tenerife, where she worked in the popular Irish bar, Paddy O'Kelly's.

Her uncle and mother, Inese Kimene, are currently arranging the repatriation of Samantha to Ireland.

Arthurs told the Irish Mirror: "She collapsed at work and they brought her into the hospital and she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"So she got the diagnosis too late. What happened was that they were just trying to do the treatment for her, and it was unsuccessful because her body couldn't take it.

"She had Covid as well and the virus, or whatever it was, spread through her organs and just...she passed away, unfortunately."

Arthurs went on to say how devastated Samantha's friends and family are, as she was "loved by everybody": "All the people here that I met, that she was working with, they're in absolute devastation. They're devastated that she’s gone, they can’t believe it.

"And she meant everything to me, I loved her very much and I’m going to miss her."

The Irish bar Samantha worked at took to Facebook to pay their respects: "It’s with a heavy heart that our colleague and friend, Sam has sadly passed away.

"Please keep her family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Rest in Peace Sam. You will be greatly missed."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help bring Samantha back home. It now stands at €17,017 of its €20,000 target.