A tragic incident unfolded during the early hours of December 26, 2024, when carbon monoxide poisoning claimed the life of a 66-year-old woman and left her husband and daughter critically injured at their home in Forni di Sopra, Udine. The emergency response was prompted by alarming text messages sent by the 28-year-old daughter to her boyfriend, who was working in Tuscany at the time.
According to reports, the boyfriend received distressing messages describing continuous bouts of vomiting and signs of loss of consciousness, alarming him enough to contact emergency services.
When the emergency call was received at around 4:30 AM, firefighters and medical teams were quickly dispatched to the family's location. The responders included units from the Forni di Sopra and Tolmezzo fire brigades, along with paramedics who were equipped to handle such emergencies. Arriving at the scene, they found the young woman leaning out of a window, indicating serious concerns inside the home.
Upon entering the residence, the firefighters, equipped with respirators due to the suspected carbon monoxide leak, discovered the woman unconscious and her husband struggling to breathe. Despite rapid rescue efforts, medical personnel pronounced the elderly woman dead on-site shortly after their arrival.
The husband was intubated and airlifted to Cattinara Hospital in Trieste, where he underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Meanwhile, the daughter was transported via ambulance to Tolmezzo for treatment. Both remain in grave condition, raising concerns about their prognosis.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the poisoning, with initial investigations pointing toward malfunctioning heating equipment, likely the source of the deadly gas leak. Fire officials emphasized the dangers of carbon monoxide, labeling it as “colorless and odorless” and urging residents to regularly maintain their heating systems and flues.
“It is common sense to regularly check the proper function of all appliances used for heating,” noted the provincial fire chief. “An adequate ventilation of rooms must also be ensured, and air intake points should be kept free at all times.” This incident marks another reminder of the silent yet deadly risks posed by carbon monoxide, which has claimed other lives recently; just days prior, another family tragically experienced similar fates nearby.
The community of Forni di Sopra is left reeling from this tragedy, mourning the loss of the 66-year-old mother and hoping for the recovery of the surviving family members. Families are encouraged to remain vigilant about their safety measures, especially during winter months when heating systems are heavily relied upon.
