Coal smoke kills Lankan in Saudi

17 December 2013 02:40 am

An Indian and a Sri Lankan suffocated to death while asleep after leaving a coal fireplace lit in their room in Saudi Arabia, newspapers said on Tuesday.

Police said colleagues found the two dead in the morning while another Sri Lankan roommate was rushed to hospital in serious condition in the northwestern town of Hail.

Examination showed the two died of asphyxia after inhaling coal smoke while asleep.

Saudi Arabia has been hit by a cold spell that has swept most countries in the Middle East over the past few days. (Source; Emirates 24/7)