Mangalore: Lancelot, Sharun D'Souza Die of Asphyxiation in Muscat

Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Dec 26: In a tragic incident, two persons from Mangalore working in Muscat suffocated to death at their accommodation in Yiti, Muscat on Sunday December 23.

The deceased have been identified as Lancelot D'Souza alias Vincy (40), resident of Kamala Compound, 1st Cross, Jeppu Bappal and his nephew (elder brother's son) Sharun D’Souza (26), resident of Santosh Nagar Kuthar. They were working at a construction site in Muscat and had taken accomodation within the premises.

Sharun D’Souza and his brother Sachith D’Souza were working for a private firm in Muscat. Sharun left for Muscat in September, 2012.

With a desire to help his uncle Lancelot who was not financially strong, Sharun decided to take Lancelot along with him to Muscat and got him a job in the same Nizwa-based construction firm Ayoub Safawi Trading Company.

Accordingly, Lancelot left for Muscat just about 20 days ago, on December 6.

Sachith, Sharun and Lancelot were alloted a room at the construction site, which they shared with Deepak Kumar, a fellow employee from Uttar Pradesh.

The tragedy struck on December 23 when the coal fire they had lit to bear with the cold resulted in thick smoke that claimed two lives and sent another into coma.

Sachith, the only one who managed to escape, sensed the smoke in the early hours of the morning, but by then it was too late. He immediately called his cousin who is also working in Oman. They called the police and rushed the three to the nearest hospital. While Lancelot and Sharun died of asphyxiation, Deepak slipped into coma.

It is learnt that as the owner of the construction company is not financially stable enough to pay bear their expenses, the help of the Indian Embassy has been sought.

Sharun is survived by his father, Lawrence D’Souza, mother Mary D’Souza, sister Sunitha D’Souza and brother Sachith and Sanil. Another brother, Santosh D'Souza, passed away five years ago in a tragic accident.

Lancelot leaves behind his wife, Gracy D’Souza and two children Samantha D’Souza and Shalomi D’Souza.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Gracy expressed her grief and said that Lancelot had called her on Saturday December 22 night and spoken till 11:30 pm. The incident has left her broken, more so as Lancelot was the sole bread winner of the family.

The incident was brought to the notice of the family members here by Sachith on Sunday.

The bodies are expected to arrive after a week, after the necessary procedures are completed.