KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban Ministry of Public Health has reported that carbon monoxide poisoning has claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals, including nine women, in Afghanistan since the onset of winter.
Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the ministry, said on Saturday that nearly 900 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning have been recorded nationwide during this period.
The Taliban official did not provide further details about the incidents or the provinces in which they occurred. However, he urged Afghan citizens to exercise utmost caution when using gas for heating purposes.
Harsh winter conditions and the high cost of firewood push many families in Afghanistan to use coal or gas for heating their homes. However, in some cases, inhaling carbon monoxide gas that accumulates in closed spaces can cause poisoning and, in some cases, lead to death.
Carbon monoxide poisoning claims dozens of lives annually across Afghanistan, particularly in the winter months. Last year, the Taliban reported that at least 14 people, including women and children, were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in Kabul.
The most recent incident occurred a week ago when five members of a family from eastern Paktika, who had traveled to Khost for medical treatment, tragically died from gas poisoning.
This ongoing tragedy underscores the precarious living conditions faced by many families across Afghanistan, who are increasingly vulnerable due to limited opportunities and economic hardship.
