Belgaum: A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, where three young men lost their lives and a fourth is fighting for survival after spending the night in a closed room warmed by a charcoal stove. The event occurred in Aman Nagar and was discovered late Tuesday afternoon when family members, unable to contact them, went to check on their well-being.
According to police officials, the victims were Mohin Nalaband (23), Rehan Matte (22), and Sarfaraz Harappanahalli (22). Shahanawaz Harpanhalli (19) was found alive but unconscious and was immediately rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Investigators revealed that the group had returned from a family function past midnight. Since the women of the family were resting inside the main house, the four relatives chose to sleep in another nearby residence belonging to their kin. To cope with the intense cold, they lit a charcoal stove before going to sleep.
Authorities believe that the tightly closed room—which reportedly lacked proper ventilation—filled with smoke over several hours. This likely caused oxygen levels to drop, leading to the victims’ suffocation. However, definitive confirmation will come once post-mortem examinations are completed.
The tragedy came to light when Rehan’s sister repeatedly attempted to reach him on Tuesday but received no response. Concerned, she visited the house and noticed it was locked from the inside. She also sensed an unusual odor coming from the premises. Police were alerted and, upon entering, discovered three of the men lifeless and one barely breathing.
Relatives shared that shortly after arriving at the house the previous night, the youths had tea and even posted a photograph on social media before going to sleep—unaware of the danger posed by the charcoal fumes.
The incident has cast a pall of grief over the community, prompting authorities to once again warn the public about the deadly risks of using charcoal or other smoke-emitting heating sources in closed spaces.