MANSEHRA: Two siblings suffocated and nine others fell unconscious in different localities of the Mansehra city and its suburbs during the last two days as they went to sleep without switching off gas heaters, a rescue official said.

Hafeezur Rehman, the district emergency officer of Rescue 1122, told reporters on Friday that Ayesha Bibi, a student of first year, and her brother Mohammad Usman, a student of 9th grade, died of suffocation in Dub area. “Both siblings didn’t turn off the gas heater before going to sleep which filled the room with poisonous fumes causing their suffocation,” Mr Rehman said.

He said six members of a family fell unconscious in Township areas, who were shifted to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.

“Three women also fell unconscious in Batdarian area,” he Rehman added.

The Rescue 1122 official advised people against keeping heaters on while going to bed to avoid any unpleasant incident.

He said in light of the incidents, he had put his response teams on high alert.

“We are also going to launch an awareness drive in the city and its suburbs with the help of local ulema and mediapersons to save the precious lives,” Mr Rehman said.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2021