Gas leak at Indian restaurant in Sydney: 1 dead, 7 injured; authorities detect Carbon Monoxide at scene

Representative image (AI-generated)

A 25-year-old man has died and seven others, including police officers, have been hospitalised following a suspected gas leak at Haveli Indian Restaurant in Riverstone, north-west Sydney, on Tuesday morning.Emergency services were called to the restaurant on Garfield Road around 9:15 am after the owner reported a welfare concern. Responding officers discovered the man unresponsive and attempted resuscitation, but he could not be revived. Early indications suggest the victim was employed at the restaurant as a cleaner, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said.Five police officers and the restaurant owner’s son had also performed CPR on the victim before paramedics arrived, as reported by ABC News. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Adam Dewberry said multiple people inside the restaurant had been “overcome by gas” and showed signs of possible carbon monoxide poisoning. He added that the 25-year-old was pulled from the building unresponsive and that the air quality was compromised when emergency services arrived. Chief Superintendent Jeff Hogan confirmed that “extremely high levels” of carbon monoxide were detected at the venue. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, MP for Blacktown, expressed her grief over the incident. “I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic incident in Riverstone this morning,” she said. “I understand investigations are underway, and I encourage anyone in the area to follow any directions issued by emergency services.”NSW Ambulance confirmed that doctors, paramedics, specialist intensive care teams and a helicopter were deployed to the scene. Paramedics remained on standby until the area was declared safe.Haveli is a restaurant chain with locations in Riverstone and Stanhope Gardens, promoting what it describes as “the authentic taste of Indian cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere.”Authorities are investigating the cause of the gas leak, with carbon monoxide poisoning suspected. Police and FRNSW continue to conduct advanced testing to identify the source of the gas, while a formal investigation remains underway.