KwaZulu-Natal – A Durban couple was declared dead in their bed at home on Wednesday morning, due to being exposed to toxic fumes in an adjoining vacant flat in Musgrave.
According to Netcare 911 spokesperson, Shawn Herbst, the couple was found by a family member who tried calling them and received no answer. The family member went to check on them at their apartment.
“Upon arrival of the family member, who entered the flat, two relatives were found unresponsive,” Herbst said.
The emergency services, which included the Ethekwini Fire and Rescue Services, SAPS Explosives Unit and Berea SAPS, were immediately notified and arrived on the scene.
ALSO READ | Bystander shot dead by stray bullet as gunmen attack foreign owned shop
“It was established that an adjoining vacant flat had been fumigated using a white powder-like substance,” Herbst said.
He said that firemen used an industrial fan to clear the toxic fumes.
“A Netcare 911 Rescue Technician with the Fire Department used self-contained breathing apparatus to enter the home unit, where they found an adult male and an adult female unresponsive in the bed,” he said.
According to Herbst, both patients were assessed, but showed no signs of life and were declared deceased.
Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the relevant authorities.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
