() — Three Americans died of carbon monoxide poisoning while staying in a rented apartment in Mexico City, the city’s Attorney General’s Office said.
The Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation on October 30 for the “death of three foreigners, derived from possible poisoning by gas inhalation inside an apartment in La Rosita, Cuajimalpa de Morelos.” Expert studies indicate that the gas was carbon monoxide, reported a statement from the entity on Tuesday.
After detecting an intense smell of gas in the apartment, the security guards of a residential complex asked the local authorities for support, the statement said, and the agents who arrived found the bodies of a woman and two men.
Paramedics declared the deaths at the scene, according to the report. The Attorney General’s Office ordered an investigation into the events.
The three Americans have not yet been publicly identified. The US Embassy confirmed the deaths to WDSU affiliate, saying, “We are closely following the local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the families’ privacy, we have nothing further to add at this moment”.
Airbnb called the deaths a “terrible tragedy” and said it was willing to assist in any investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones as they suffer such an unimaginable loss. Our priority at this time is to support those affected while authorities investigate what happened,” the company said in its statement.
News of the deaths comes just months after three Americans were reported dead from carbon monoxide poisoning at a Sandals resort on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.
Two couples reported feeling unwell on the night of May 5 and were treated by medical personnel, Bahamian police said.
The next day, Michael Phillips, 68, and his wife, Robbie Phillips, 65, of Tennessee, and Vincent Paul Chiarella, 64, of Florida, were found dead in their villas. Chiarella’s wife, Donnis, 65, was airlifted to the capital, Nassau, for further treatment before being flown to Florida.
Elliott C. McLaughlin and Michelle Watson, all of , contributed to this report.