A 40-year-old Nepalese worker died and six of his colleagues were taken ill after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a charcoal barbecue grill that was brought indoors at a rented house in Karnataka’s Dharwad district, police said on Sunday. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the dangers of using charcoal grills in enclosed spaces, particularly during winter.

The tragedy unfolded on Friday night at a house in Sai Darshini Layout, where a group of Nepalese nationals employed at a fast-food outlet were living together. The deceased was identified as Bibek Paudel, a native of Nepal who worked at an eatery located behind the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) complex in Dharwad.

Events Leading Up to the Incident

According to the police, the workers returned home late on Friday after finishing their shifts. They cooked dinner using a charcoal barbecue grill on the terrace of the house. As the night grew colder, the group reportedly decided to move the grill indoors to keep warm while they ate and later went to sleep.

Investigators believe that the decision to bring the grill inside proved fatal. With the doors and windows shut to keep out the cold, carbon monoxide gas emitted by the burning charcoal gradually accumulated inside the house. The colourless, odourless gas likely caused suffocation and respiratory distress as the men slept, leaving them unconscious.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is particularly dangerous because victims often remain unaware of the exposure until symptoms become severe. In enclosed spaces, even a small charcoal fire can quickly raise carbon monoxide levels to lethal concentrations.

Discovery and Emergency Response

The incident came to light on Saturday morning when none of the workers turned up for duty at the fast-food outlet. Concerned by their absence, Yogita, the owner of the outlet, went to the house to check on them.

When she arrived, she found all seven men lying unconscious inside the house. With the help of local residents, she immediately rushed them to the Dharwad District Hospital in her car.

By the time they reached the hospital, Bibek Paudel had already died, police said. The remaining six were admitted for treatment, with three of them reported to be in critical condition initially.

Victims Identified

The six workers who survived were identified as:

• Naresh Shresta (45)
• Nitesh Shresta (18)
• Dinesh Damal (40)
• Sudhan (30)
• Kumar Shresta (50)
• Lakshman (30)

All of them are Nepalese nationals who were working at the same outlet and sharing the rented accommodation.

Three of the injured men — Lakshman, Sudhan and Kumar — were admitted in critical condition on Saturday night, while the others were kept under observation.

Survivor’s Account

Speaking from his hospital bed, Dinesh Damal recounted the events of the night, saying the group had not realised the danger they were putting themselves in.

“We remember using the barbecue at night. The smoke must have increased after we fell asleep. Since the windows were also closed, none of us realised the danger while sleeping, and we became unconscious,” he said.

His statement highlights how carbon monoxide poisoning can occur silently, without the strong smell or irritation typically associated with smoke inhalation.

Police Investigation

City police commissioner N Shashikumar visited the house where the incident occurred and later went to the hospital to assess the condition of the survivors. He said one person had died and six others had fallen ill among the seven Nepalese nationals living in the Saidarshan (Sai Darshini) locality.

“Due to smoke inhalation and breathing problems, the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, and we are investigating,” the commissioner said, adding that preliminary findings pointed to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the indoor use of a charcoal grill.

Police later registered a case at the Vidyagiri Police Station under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and further investigation is underway to determine whether there was any negligence or violation of safety norms.

A Trip Home That Never Happened

Adding to the tragedy, police said Bibek Paudel was scheduled to return to Nepal on Saturday. He had already booked his travel ticket and was preparing to go home when the incident occurred.

Colleagues and acquaintances described him as a hardworking individual who had been employed at the eatery for some time. His sudden death has left his co-workers and family members in shock.

Condition of the Survivors Improves

Hospital officials later said the condition of the injured workers had stabilised. Dharwad District Surgeon Dr Sangappa Gaddi said on Sunday that the three patients who were initially in critical condition were responding well to treatment.

“Three patients — Lakshman, Sudhan and Kumar — who were admitted in critical condition on Saturday night due to carbon monoxide poisoning have now recovered,” he said, adding that all six survivors were under observation and showing signs of improvement.

Doctors said timely medical intervention, including oxygen therapy, played a key role in saving their lives.

Safety Concerns and Awareness

The incident has underscored the dangers of using charcoal grills, barbecues or other fuel-burning devices indoors, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Experts warn that carbon monoxide can build up quickly and prove fatal within minutes, particularly when people are asleep and unable to notice early symptoms such as dizziness, headache or nausea.

Police and health officials have urged residents to avoid bringing burning charcoal or grills inside homes and to ensure proper ventilation when using any fuel-based cooking or heating equipment.

As the investigation continues, authorities are also looking at ways to raise awareness among migrant workers and residents about basic fire and gas safety, particularly during winter when the temptation to use indoor heating methods increases.

For now, the death of Bibek Paudel stands as a grim reminder of how a seemingly routine act can turn deadly when safety precautions are overlooked.