Four Bangladeshi Brothers Die From Toxic Gas in Oman

 

Four Bangladeshi Brothers Die From Toxic Gas in Oman, Police Warn Against Sleeping in Closed Vehicles

Police in Oman have launched an investigation into the deaths of four Bangladeshi expatriate brothers who reportedly died from inhaling toxic carbon monoxide gas inside a vehicle.

Citing the Royal Oman Police, the Times of Oman reported that the brothers were exposed to carbon monoxide emitted from the air-conditioner exhaust while the vehicle’s engine was running. Following the incident, police warned the public against sleeping inside enclosed vehicles because of the danger of suffocation from toxic gas.

Leaders of the Chattogram Association Oman told Prothom Alo that the four brothers were travelling from the Barka area to Muladdah on Wednesday evening. Shortly after 8:00 pm, one of the brothers sent a voice message to a relative saying they were feeling seriously ill. Sharing their location, he reportedly said they were too weak even to get out of the vehicle.

According to relatives, the brothers were struggling to breathe and foam was coming from their mouths and noses. They also called their mother and asked for prayers.

Later, local residents found the four unconscious inside a vehicle parked in front of a clinic and alerted the police. Officers arrived at the scene, opened the vehicle, and recovered the bodies.

The deceased were identified as Rashidul Islam, Shahedul Islam, Sirajul Islam, and Shahidul Islam.

Family members said on Saturday afternoon that the bodies are expected to arrive in Bangladesh next Tuesday. The victims’ relatives, the Bangladesh Embassy, and the Chattogram Association Oman have completed arrangements to bring all four bodies home on the same flight.

Mother Still Unaware of Sons’ Deaths

Three days after the tragedy, the brothers’ mother, Khadija Begum, has still not been told that her sons have died. Family members have only informed her that they are seriously ill and undergoing treatment in hospital.

Relatives said Khadija Begum herself became ill after hearing about their condition. Fearing that she may not be able to bear the shock because of her fragile health, the family decided to withhold the news of their deaths.

To prevent neighbours or relatives from accidentally informing her, the family’s only surviving son, 32-year-old Mohammad Enam, has locked the gate of their home in Rangunia, Chattogram.

On Friday afternoon, local BNP lawmaker Hummam Quader Chowdhury visited the Lalanagar Bandarajpara Mosque in Rangunia, offered prayers, and met the grieving family. He said efforts would be made to bring the bodies home quickly and assured the family of support.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Nazmul Hasan, local BNP leaders, and other prominent residents accompanied him during the visit.

Relatives said burial arrangements have already been made, and the four brothers will be laid to rest side by side in the family graveyard.

Emran Hossain, a maternal cousin of the deceased, told Prothom Alo that the family had recently begun to achieve financial stability through the remittances sent home by the brothers.

Mohammad Yasin Chowdhury, president of the Chattogram Association Oman, said around 80 percent of the repatriation process had already been completed.

“We have been in constant communication with the embassy and the Omani authorities since the incident,” he said. “We hope the bodies of all four brothers will arrive together in Bangladesh next Tuesday afternoon.”

He added that the cost of repatriating the bodies would be covered by the victims’ relatives and the Chattogram Association Oman, as the deaths did not occur in a road accident and therefore would not qualify for compensation from the Omani government.

All four brothers were between 25 and 35 years old.