3 workers found dead in Leyte town; carbon monoxide poisoning eyed

TACLOBAN CITY — Three sewing workers were found dead inside the warehouse where they were staying in Barangay Campetic, Palo, Leyte, early Wednesday, with authorities investigating whether a generator operating inside the poorly ventilated building caused their deaths.

The victims—two men and a woman—were found lifeless inside the sewing workshop in Zone 6 of the barangay on Sept. 16.

Police are investigating whether the generator produced carbon monoxide that accumulated inside the enclosed area, potentially causing carbon monoxide poisoning.

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READ: DOH: Don’t use generators inside house

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Police Lt. Col. Florando Relente, officer-in-charge of the Palo Municipal Police Station, said the generator set was inside the workers’ living quarters.

In a radio interview, Relente said investigators were considering the lack of ventilation inside the building as a significant factor in the deaths.

Residents told authorities that brownouts frequently occur in the area. They said the generator had been running during a power interruption the previous night and remained in operation until the workers were discovered dead the following morning.

Authorities said there were no apparent signs of forced entry. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

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Police have also contacted the families of the three victims.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of death and establish the circumstances that led to the incident.

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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning equipment, including gasoline- and diesel-powered generators. When such equipment is run inside an enclosed or poorly ventilated space, carbon monoxide can accumulate to dangerous levels and cause poisoning. /coa