Five migrant labourers die of suffocation in Punjab’s Sunam

Had left coal brazier (angithi) burning to ward off the cold in a closed room while they slept; sixth labourer hospitalised in critical condition

Five migrant labourers died of suffocation after falling asleep with a coal brazier (angithi) burning in their room to ward off the cold at a rice-sheller at Chhaharh village near Sunam town, police said on Monday.

Five migrant labourers died of suffocation after falling asleep with a coal brazier (angithi) burning in their room to ward off the cold at a rice-sheller at Chhaharh village near Sunam town on Monday. (Representational photo)

The sixth labourer is hospitalised in a critical condition.

The incident came to light on Monday morning when the labourers didn’t show up for work. An acquaintance found them unconscious and rushed them to hospital, where they died during treatment.

All deceased were natives of Bihar.

Chhajali police station in-charge Manpreet Singh said, “We received information about the deaths from a private hospital around 11am. A team of forensic experts is at the crime spot.”