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Generator fume kills 10 in Imo

John Kennedy Uzoma, Owerri

Ten wedding guests have allegedly been killed by generator fumes in Imo State, while 30 others were still unconscious as at time of filing this report.

The victims reportedly attended a traditional wedding held, on Sunday, June 9, in Umuomumu Umuezi Mberi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Both the groom, Ifeanyi from Anambra State and the bride, Favour, from the community, escaped the incident as they left the compound immediately after the event to their hotel room.

Both the deceased and the survivors were made up of the relations of the bride and other people who equally attended the weeding from the village.

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It was gathered that the victims, including children had after the wedding, went to an uncompleted one story building to pass the night and could not wake up the following morning after they inhaling carbon dioxide from a small generator popularly call “I pass my neighbour.”

When our correspondent visited the scene, it was discovered that four of the victims had already died before the door was forced open, while the remaining six died later.

Confirming the incident to newsmen that visited the scene, an elder in the community, Chief Martins Exuruike Ezeruo said he saw about 20 victims of the fumes being evacuated from the building by a team of policemen.

He said that the corpses were found inside the building when people forced the doors open and were taken to Ikeduru and Nwoarubi hospital.

According to him, a small size generator was taken inside the building and was allowed to work for about 12 hours the next morning which responsible for the death of the people.

He described what happened as unfortunate and blamed it on the carelessness of taking the generator inside the building.

A villager who did not want his name mentioned, said that the owner of the house who happened to be a relation to the bride, Uzoegbu family who died a year and 6 months ago has not been buried.

He said that the wife to the deceased had earlier on refused to release the key to the building.

He equally narrated that the wife of the deceased told them that if they insisted in opening the house, whatever they see they should take.

Addressing newsmen, Administrator of Ikeduru hospital, Dr. Austin Agbahiwe confirmed that 17 survivors, who were unconscious, were brought to the hospital, while 3 died on arrival.

He said that the 17 persons were already responding to treatment.

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He said that the victims inhaled the dangerous carbon monoxide from the generator and that affected their system

He said that medical doctors and consultants in the hospital are doing their best to save the lives of the victims.

He said among the three that died on arrival to the hospital were a male and two females, while advising the people to desist from using the small generator because of the danger inherent in such practice.

Confirming the incident, Commissioner of Police in the state, Ladodo Rabiu said that investigation has commenced on the issue.

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