LONDON: Two Pakistani students lost their lives in what is believed to be a carbon monoxide leak inside a house in Swindon, UK.
The victims, identified as 34-year-old Afzal Ahmed Satti and 32-year-old Muhammad Usman Mughal, had both travelled to the UK on student visas and were living in London. Family members told ARY News that the incident occurred due to a gas leak from the heating system.
Both men were originally from Kotli Sattian in Rawalpindi. Their funeral prayers were offered today in Ilford, London, where relatives and members of the Pakistani community gathered to mourn their loss.
Afzal Ahmed leaves behind his wife and two children, while Usman Mughal had only recently gotten married. Their bodies will be sent back to Pakistan for burial after their families are informed.
Initial findings suggest that emergency teams found both men already dead when they reached the property. Post-mortem examinations have now been completed.
The Pakistani community in the UK has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the heartbreaking incident.
Earlier, a British Muslim train worker who was hailed as a “hero” for intervening during a mass stabbing on a London-bound train two weeks ago was discharged from the hospital on Saturday.
Samir Zitouni, 48, had been in critical condition after suffering multiple wounds in the November 1 attack.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the public, and very touched by all the kind words about Sam’s brave actions on the night of the attack,” his family said in a statement issued by British Transport Police.
“While we are really happy to have him home, he still has a significant recovery ahead, and we would now like to be left in privacy to care for him as a family.”