Hyderabad tragedy: How a family of 3 from Sanathnagar, died after inhaling geyser gas

Hyderabad: Preliminary investigation has revealed that three family members in Sanathnagar’s Czech colony might have died after inhaling toxic geyser gas.

Venkatesh (55), his wife Madhavi (50), and their son Harikrishna (30) were found dead in the bathroom. The incident came to light on Sunday evening when the housemaid went to Venkatesh’s house for work. The family resided in Flat 204 on the second floor of the Akruti Presidency Apartment.

According to neighbors, Venkatesh and Madhavi had seen them off when they left for their hometown. Breakfast was already set on the table when they entered the bathroom to bathe their son Harikrishna, who was mentally disabled.

Speaking to the NewsMeter, Sanathnagar Inspector K Srinivasulu said that preliminary investigations suggest that the family members suffered a fatal electric shock while using the geyser in the bathroom.

However, after the postmortem, doctors opined that Venkatesh’s family died of CO gas inhalation.

What are Gas Geysers?

Similar to an electric geyser, a gas geyser heats water. A gas burner is used beneath a tank. Later the hot water is supplied through a pipeline. Pressure builds up in the gas geyser during heating, and the valve is used to release it.

Gas geysers are preferred over electric geysers, especially in large households, because they use Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) instead of electricity. Gas geysers also heat water quickly.

The inspector said that usually gas geysers were being used in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. A few months ago, a death was reported at Gachibowli in Hyderabad due to a leakage from the gas geyser.

During the investigation, police concluded that CO gas emanating from the geyser might have led to the deaths.

Srinivasulu said that a few body parts of the deceased were preserved and they would be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) for further examination and confirmation.

“We have inspected the crime spot 12 hours after the incident. That's why we couldn't trace any odor of CO gas which is colorless and odourless. The gas geyser connection was installed inside the bathroom which was supposed to be kept in the balcony. Soon after the CO gas emanated from the gas geyser all the three family members fell unconscious and later succumbed,” Srinivasulu said.

The inspector said that it might take at least one to three months to get the FSL report, which could confirm the actual cause of death of the three family members. “We have handed over the deceased to their family members after the postmortem. Further investigation is on,” he said.

Damage to the brain

Dr. Srikrishna Raghavendra Boddu, consultant physician, Kamineni Hospitals says, "In toilets where the ventilation is not good, there is a risk of higher exposure of CO gas and this causes brain damage, shortness of breath and instant death."

Symptoms of gas leak which people must notice is headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and altered mental status. Those who have installed these geysers must get regular inspections done to ensure that there are no leaks.