HARARE – Three men from Mutare died from carbon monoxide poisoning while draining water from a well using a petrol-powered water pump, police said on Monday.
They have been named as Last Murewa, 31, Taurai Kamutano, 41, and Elben Kandenga, 38.
“Police in Mutare are investigating a sad incident in which three men died due to suffocation whilst draining water from an approximately 19-meter deep well using a petrol-powered water pump which they had placed in the well,” national police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
“The water pump emitted smoke which filled up the well and suffocated the victims.”
Turning on engine-driven tools in a confined space like a well can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide which is colourless and does not smell, making it difficult to tell if it is around you.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a sudden headache, dizziness, feeling weak, confusion, chest and muscle pain and finally shortness of breath. The symptoms worsen the longer one spends time in the affected space, and get better when they leave or go outside.
Common household appliances used for power generation and cooking can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed properly, are faulty, or are poorly maintained.
Appliances that can cause carbon monoxide include gas cookers; clay ovens; paraffin heaters; wood, gas and coal fires as well as portable generators.
