Five members of a family died from carbon monoxide poisoning on Saturday night in Khost Province, according to local sources.
The incident occurred in a residential apartment in the first district of Khost city, where the family had been staying temporarily.
Taher Ahrar, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s police command in Khost, confirmed the incident, stating that the victims were residents of Surobi district in neighboring Paktika Province.
They had traveled to Khost city to seek medical treatment for one of their ailing relatives, he said.
A growing winter hazard
As temperatures plummet during the winter months, Afghanistan has seen a rise in carbon monoxide poisoning cases caused by the improper use of coal and gas for heating.
Residents attribute these tragedies to widespread poverty, lack of access to safe and refined fuel, and the high cost of firewood in Afghanistan’s markets, forcing many to rely on unsafe heating methods.
The incident highlights the increasing dangers faced by Afghan families during the harsh winter season, as many struggle to secure safe heating options amid economic hardship.
