Dubai porter found dead inside container

Dubai: A 55-year-old porter in the Fruit and Vegetable Market was found dead on Sunday morning after spending the night in an onion container.

The Indian porter, identified as S.B., suffocated as a result of lack of oxygen in the container, said Brigadier Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Director of Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

During the night, the onions absorbed all the oxygen in the closed container, suffocating the worker who was sleeping inside, said Brig Al Mansouri.

He highlighted the risk of sleeping in a closed space with plants, as the plants take in oxygen and omit carbon dioxide at night, which in huge quantities could cause harm or even kill.

The CID will implement an awareness campaign in cooperation with Rashidiya Police Station to spread awareness among porters and workers at the Vegetable and Fruit Market about staying safe and avoiding hazards.