Durgapur: Two suffocate to death in sweet shop

Burdwan: At least two people ‘asphyxiated’ to death in a sweet shop in Durgapur in West Burdwan district on Monday, police said. Six others also present in the shop were found in an unconscious state and are currently undergoing treatment in

a hospital. The incident took place in a sweet shop on William Carey Road in B-Zone area of the industrial city as the eight workers of the shop were sleeping inside the establishment after the day’s work, a

police officer said.

The shop owner identified as Milan Mallick reportedly reached the shop as soon as possible. Despite knocking on the door, none responded. Later the door was broken and Milan found the labourers lying unconscious. They were shifted to a hospital but two of them died later, while six others are undergoing

treatment, he said.

It is suspected that the two persons asphyxiated to death but an investigation is underway to ascertain whether a leak of an LPG cylinder took place or fumes from the ‘tandoor’ at the shop were the cause of the deaths, the officer said.

The deceased have been identified as Atanu Ruidas and Bidhan Bauri. They, along with those hospitalised, hailed from Beliatore in Bankura district.

However, hospital authorities said the exact cause of death will be known only after receipt of the post-mortem reports.