Department store worker dies after inhaling toxic fumes

Police arrested manager, three others working at the store

KARACHI:

A young man, the sole bread earner of his family, died and several others fell unconscious after being exposed to toxic fumes at a department store in North Nazimabad on Saturday.

Yahya Fahim Ali, 21, used to work at a departmental store in North Nazimabad, within the limits of the Hyderi police station. He and six others fell unconscious while working inside the store. All the victims were immediately shifted to a hospital where Ali passed away during treatment. The others were discharged from the hospital after receiving first aid.

The department store’s employees said that the incident took place on Friday night when after the closure of the store Ali went to the storeroom and fell unconscious. When the other employees attempted to rescue him they also fell unconscious. All of them began vomiting.

Police said that the victims were exposed to pest control fumigation fumes. “The store was fumigated between Thursday and Friday and Ali ate a meal in the warehouse, despite the fact that he was asked not to eat inside the storeroom,” said North Nazimabad DSP Naeem Khan. “Apparently, the incident occurred due to the fumigation.”

The police have also detained store manager Asif, fumigation supervisor Asif and two others, however, no case has been registered. Asif denied the allegations, saying the store was fumigated before the arrival of the employees.

The deceased was a resident of Liaquatabad. His funeral prayers were offered on Saturday and he was later laid to rest at a graveyard in Paposh Nagar.