Train deaths in Murree: What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

The cause of the deaths was hypothermia, or suffocation caused by carbon monoxide, a decision that can only be made by authorities after a medical examination.


But it is worth noting that suffocation in motor vehicles or inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) causes deaths worldwide while many people are hospitalized. That is why caution is encouraged in homes and cars.

Train deaths in Murree: What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Train deaths in Murree: What is carbon monoxide poisoning?


What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas. Breathing can be fatal or cause long-term health problems.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may be similar to other diseases, such as food poisoning or flu-free flu.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says mild carbon monoxide can cause headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness, but high doses can cause vomiting and impaired nerve balance. , Including loss of consciousness and death.

Products and appliances powered by internal combustion engines such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers and power washers also produce carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide in motor vehicles can be caused by a leak in the exhaust system or if for some reason the exhaust system shuts down, they start to get inside the vehicle.


What to do to avoid it?

That is why it is generally forbidden to sleep with the car's air conditioner on and all the doors closed as leakage can be fatal.

Under normal circumstances, it is recommended that you check your car's exhaust system once a year to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never turn on a car or truck in a closed garage, always open the doors to get fresh air.

And if you open the rear door (tailgate) of the car, you also open the car windows and windows to keep the air out, because if only the rear door is open, it is very possible that the exhaust gas will be drawn inside the car. Come on

As far as Murree is concerned, it has been observed that the vehicles are so stuck in the snow that it is not uncommon for the silencer to close its mouth. In addition, it is natural to keep the engine of the car on to avoid the cold outside.

In such cases, it is natural for carbon monoxide to spread in the vehicle and poison the air inside the vehicle.

What to do if you get stuck in heavy snowin car?
What to do if you get stuck in heavy snowin car?


What to do if you get stuck in heavy snow?

Warnings are issued around the world before the snow falls that the weather in the area could be bad at any time so stay home but the alert in Murree was delayed.

Environmentalist Tawfiq Pasha Meraj told the BBC's Sehar Baloch that in case of snowfall, the administration should have closed the dying roads first.

Here are some precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid further damage to tourists trapped in the snow:

People who are stuck in cars with their children or family should turn off their car to save petrol or diesel until help arrives.

Park the car on the side of the road with the help of someone and not in the middle of the road, put iron chains on the tires and if possible do not run the heater to keep the car warm.

People also turn on the heater in a crowded car, which increases the chances of suffocation in the car and makes it difficult to breathe. If you have two or three people in a car, then the heat of human life will keep the car warm from inside.


In no case do not leave your car on foot as you cannot predict the weather conditions beyond where you are standing. It is better to sit in the car than to be alone on the road.