A 63-year-old died while waiting at a gas station in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka. He spent five days in the car to get to the gas station. Shortly before his death, the man complained of chest pain. He probably died of a heart attack given the long stay in the intense heat.
Twelve people have died while waiting for fuel in recent weeks. All were male and between 43 and 84 years old. In most cases, the cause of death was a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Temperatures on the island are currently up to 30 degrees, and it gets much warmer in the car – and so dangerous.
The 63-year-old also reportedly collapsed from the heat, according to staff at a local hospital where his body was removed and pronounced dead. There have been long lines at gas stations for weeks. It is not uncommon for people to have to wait in their cars for several days to refuel.
Biggest economic crisis in 70 years
Sri Lanka, home to about 22 million people, is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years. The country is highly indebted, the economy is suffering from extreme fuel shortages, rising food prices and a shortage of medicines. The government has asked for help from India and China, as well as international organizations.
According to ndtv.com, private bus companies say they can only make 20 percent of the required journeys due to fuel shortages. Only last weekend riots broke out because of the fuel shortage. Seven people were injured in protests on Sunday.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
