Gas leak claims three lives in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

Three women, including an elderly mother and her daughter, died of asphyxiation while another young woman was found unconscious after gas leaked from an instant geyser at a private housing society in Phase-VII on Tuesday.

The trapped gas had reportedly filled the flat, resulting in suffocation. Rescue 1122 personnel provided initial medical assistance and transferred the survivor to a hospital, where her condition is said to be critical.

According to rescue and police officials, hotel owner Khurshid Anwar Khan had been residing in the Phase-VII flat with his family. His 70-year-old mother, his wife and his sister were present at the time of the incident.

A fire is believed to have erupted after a leak developed in the external instant geyser installed on the balcony, burning the temporary pipe and allowing gas from the main line to accumulate in the balcony and inside the flat.

As a result, the hotelier's mother, Zeba Mazmil, aged 70, his 60-year-old sister Zeenat Mazmil, and his 45-year-old wife Khurshid Fatima died due to inhalation and suffocation. His 23-year-old daughter Noor Fatima was discovered unconscious in a critical state and was rushed to a hospital. Station House Officer Riaz Zahir of Rawat Police said that initial findings suggest the deaths were caused by suffocation due to the flat filling with gas.He added that no signs of violence or foul play had been detected. The officer further noted that the balcony where the geyser was installed had been enclosed with glass panels, preventing ventilation.Meanwhile, the survivor continues to receive treatment at hospital, where her condition remains critical.