UP factory tragedy: 3 security guards die of suffocation in locked cabin; kin allege murder, stage protest

BAREILLY: Three security guards died of suffocation inside a factory cabin after burning coal in a brazier to keep warm and sleeping in a locked room, police said on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Jogendra Singh (30), Bhanu Kumar (26) and Vivek Yadav (27). The trio were on night duty.Preliminary investigations suggested that toxic gas from the brazier led to suffocation. No external injury marks were found on the bodies, police added.The incident came to light on Tuesday morning when factory staff arrived and found the three lying unconscious inside the cabin.They got no response despite repeated attempts to wake them, following which police were informed.As news spread, family members reached the spot and created a ruckus, alleging murder.They placed the bodies on the road and blocked traffic, demanding an FIR against the factory owner. Officials said the factory’s safety arrangements are being reviewed. The incident occurred at the same mint factory that had witnessed a massive fire a few months ago.Police said: Postmortem will confirm the exact cause of death and action will be followed.