by Iqra Akhoon
SRINAGAR: With the winter season bringing a surge in asphyxiation deaths across Kashmir, concern is mounting among local leaders and health experts to launch a widespread awareness campaign to educate the public on staying safe while keeping warm. Over the past two weeks, 16 people have lost their lives to asphyxiation and fires linked to poorly ventilated heating methods, while others remain critically injured.
So far, at least nine people have died due to asphyxiation in 2025, with several others in critical condition. These tragic incidents have mainly been linked to the improper use of heating equipment such as gas and coal heaters, electric blankets, and blowers, which can emit poisonous gases like carbon monoxide. This has drawn attention to the need for safety measures, such as carbon monoxide sensors, and greater public education on how to safely use these heating devices.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred on January 5, 2025, in Srinagar’s Pandrathan area, where five members of a family, including three children, died from suffocation caused by an electric heating blower. The family, originally from Gingal (Uri) in Baramulla, had been living in rented accommodation for two months. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, a chef at a local hotel, and his family were found unconscious after Bhat’s mother expressed concern when he did not respond to her calls. Fellow tenants discovered the family unresponsive, and despite being rushed to the hospital, they were declared dead. Authorities have warned that improper use of heating devices during winter can deplete oxygen in rooms and release toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, leading to tragic outcomes.
In another heart-wrenching case, a 24-year-old man, Nisar Ahmad Khan, died, and his 65-year-old mother remains in critical condition after they suffered asphyxiation from a charcoal heater in Kulgam’s Gudder village. In the January 4, 2025, incident, the mother-son duo had left the heater burning overnight to combat the cold, and they were discovered unconscious the following morning. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Nisar succumbed to the fumes, while his mother is still in critical care at SKIMS Srinagar.
Earlier, on January 2, 2025, three men were found dead in a guesthouse in Bhaderwah, Doda district, in what is suspected to be another case of asphyxiation due to a charcoal heater. The trio, residents of Jammu, had been staying at the guesthouse when their bodies were discovered by police. Initial investigations suggest the heating device may have caused the depletion of oxygen in the room, but forensic reports are awaited to confirm the cause of death.
In the last fortnight of December 2024, seven people died in similar circumstances. Just weeks ago, on December 28, 2024, a two-year-old girl lost her life, and three other family members were hospitalised due to suffocation caused by a charcoal firepot in Kulgam.
On December 19, 2024, six members of a family, including a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), died from asphyxiation in Kathua district. These deaths were caused by smoke inhalation from a fire that started from a traditional lamp, underscoring the dangers of using unsafe heating practices during the cold months.
The recent surge in asphyxiation deaths has led medical professionals to issue strong warnings about the dangers of unsafe heating practices during the winter months. Doctors have urged the public to adopt strict safety measures when using heating devices to prevent similar incidents.
Doctors said most of the recent deaths were caused by the depletion of oxygen in poorly ventilated rooms, often exacerbated by the use of heaters. People are often unaware that heating devices such as gas heaters, and charcoal burners emit carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can lead to suffocation. Individuals using these devices must ensure that their rooms are well-ventilated and that the devices are turned off before going to bed.
“When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds with haemoglobin in the blood, reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs,” one doctor explained, asserting carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal even in low concentrations. He recommended that people who use heating devices in closed spaces consider installing carbon monoxide detectors, which can provide early warnings of dangerous gas buildup.
Health experts also advised that individuals using gas or kerosene heaters should always ensure there is proper ventilation in the room. Doctors suggest switching off all heating devices before going to bed and using them only when necessary. They urged families to have their heating equipment inspected annually by professionals to ensure it functions safely.
The growing number of asphyxiation deaths has led to increased calls for public awareness campaigns and the introduction of safety measures to prevent further tragedies. Health experts have outlined several key precautions, such as ensuring proper ventilation when using heating devices, switching off heaters before going to bed, and installing carbon monoxide detectors in homes. They also recommend the use of certified, safe heating equipment and maintaining optimal indoor temperatures.
CPI (M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has expressed his deep concern over the rising number of asphyxiation cases. Tarigami called on the government to distribute carbon monoxide sensors to households at subsidised rates, emphasising that the distribution should be carried out through local bodies. He further suggested that the families of the victims be offered compensation as a humanitarian gesture and that those in critical condition receive immediate, free medical treatment. “While we cannot bring back the victims, we must ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future,” said Tarigami. “Awareness campaigns are essential to ensure that the public understands the dangers of improper heating practices.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, President of the Apni Party, also urged the authorities to launch a widespread awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of unsafe heating devices. “The careless use of heating devices, such as gas and coal heaters, electric blankets, and blowers, is putting many lives at risk,” Bukhari wrote on his X handle. “The authorities must use all available mediums to educate people about how improper use of these devices can lead to fatal consequences,” Bukhari stressed that raising awareness is essential to preventing further tragedies caused by the unsafe use of heating equipment.
