3 expat women die of suffocation in Kuwait

Cairo: Three Asian domestic workers have died of suffocation resulting from burning coal used for keeping warm at a resthouse in Kuwait.

The women’s deaths were discovered by their employer in the Kabd area in Al Jahra governorate.

The ambulatory services and the Interior Ministry were notified. Upon arriving at the scene, the paramedics reported that the workers had died, Al Rai newspaper said.

Authorities ordered the bodies be referred to the forensic medicine department.

Health specialists warn against inhaling smoke resulting from burning coal in a closed place without good ventilation, saying it may lead to death in a short time.

Health reports contend that when charcoal is lit, it produces carbon monoxide that has no colour or smell. When inhaled, it affects the brain cells and may cause death within 2-3 minutes.

Kuwait, a country of around 4.9 million people mostly foreigners, is set to experience cold weather starting from Friday, according to weather forecasters.

The Kuwaiti Meteorological Department forecast a drop in temperatures starting Friday and the weather will generally be cold during the weekend with a chance of frost in agricultural and desert areas.

The department director, Dharar Al Ali, said Kuwait is affected by a cold air mass coming from Eastern Europe with light-to-moderate winds that will sometimes be active with the drop in temperatures.

Friday’s maximum temperatures in Kuwait are expected to range from 18 to 20 degrees centigrade and the minimum between 6 and 9.