A newly-married couple have died after inhaling toxic fumes when a nearby apartment was fumigated.
The incident occurred in Durban, South Africa and the couple was found when a concerned family member alerted emergency services.
Paramedics wore protective equipment, while fire services were also called to assist along with the South African Police Service's Explosives Unit.
A spokesman for Netcare 911 Paramedics, Shawn Herbst said: "Reports indicate a family went to speak to family members as their phones were not being answered.
"On arrival of the family member, who entered the flat, two relatives were found unresponsive.
"A Netcare 911 rescue technician with the fire department used self-contained breathing apparatus to enter the home unit, where they found an adult male and an adult female unresponsive in the bed.
"Both patients were assessed [but] showed no signs of life and were sadly declared deceased."
Herbst explained the fire services had to use an industrial fan to clear the fumes inside the flat, while police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said: "A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated."
Herbst added: "The emergency services were immediately notified, who arrived on the scene within minutes. On scene were the eThekwini fire and rescue services, SAPS explosives unit and Berea SAPS.
"It was established that an adjoining vacant flat had been fumigated using a white powder-like substance. Firemen used an industrial fan to clear the toxic fumes."
The couple, aged 34 and 35, were described as "lovely" by a shocked neighbour and had only recently tied the knot.
They said: "It’s shocking and terribly sad. The couple were lovely and had recently been married.
"The guy had been living here for over 10 years, and he was so helpful and active on the group chats."
Flat fumigation can be dangerous if not done properly and there have been several incidents over recent years that have had serious consequences.
Last year, an 11-year-old girl died in a flat in Shadwell, London, where police found a number of chemicals used for pest control.
Fatiha Sabrin died and her family members were left unwell in the incident that caused the rest of the building to be evacuated as a precaution.
Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, said at the time: "My thoughts and prayers are with her and her loved ones. I am following up to support constituents including everyone who was evacuated and in care of Tower Hamlets council."
