Generator fumes kill family of 8 in Cross River (graphic photo)

Generator fumes has left a family of 8 Cameroonian refugees dead in their home in Ikom, Cross River State.

The decomposing body of the family who fled Cameroon following the civil unrest in region, was discovered yesterday after they sought solace in Cross River state after crossing the border.

Though the bodies have been evacuated with investigation ongoing, however some the deceased’s neighbours believe they may have died from generator fumes and might have been dead for days considering the decomposing state of their bodies.

This is coming after it was reported that a family of seven was wiped off by generator fumes in Edo State. The family reportedly turned on a generator in their kitchen and left it to run throughout the night.

It was gathered that some neighbours raised an alarm when the bodies of the family were seen lifeless in the apartment when the door was opened. The lifeless bodies of the occupants, which were brought to the Benin Central Hospital, attracted sympathisers who resorted to prayers; for God’s intervention.

Their remains were, however, deposited at the hospital’s mortuary, amidst weeping and wailing.
But, the father of the deceased children, identified as Tochukwu Okwueze, was said to have been taken to a hospital in the Eweka area of Benin for medical attention, after he was found to be in of coma.

“My younger one called me from Lagos and asked me what was happening. I said that I did not know.

“So, he told me to go the house, that something not pleasing to the ears had just happened. I called her (deceased woman’s) line. Somebody picked the call and said that they (victims) slept and did not wake up. I stay at Evbuotubu area, so, I went to the place.

“The whole family was affected. But the police told me that the father survived it. They said that although his case was serious, if there was the need to rush him to University of Benin Teaching Hospital, they would call me.

“It is a family of seven. The youngest is a set of twins”, one of the relatives of the deceased, Vincent, explained to journalists in Benin City.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, confirmed the incident.