due to inhalation of a "colourless and odorless" gas

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – 17 people have died in 3 Algerian states as a result of inhaling “colorless and odorless” gas during the last 24 hours, according to the official APS news agency. 

And the agency stated that the deaths occurred in the states of Setif, M'sila, and Mostaganem "as a result of suffocation of carbon monoxide gas emitted from various heating equipment, according to the results of the Civil Protection Services on Tuesday, renewing its call to "take the utmost care and caution against the dangers of the silent killer."

The agency stated that "the heaviest death toll was recorded, with 9 people from one family in the state of M'sila, 6 people from one family also in the state of Setif, and two people from the state of Mostaganem," in addition to "saving 25 others from certain death due to a carbon monoxide leak."

The Algerian News Agency quoted the civil protection services as warning them of the dangers of the gas, which is responsible for several deaths, "because it is colorless and odorless, causing poisoning, most of which are disastrous." The Civil Protection attributed these incidents to "mistakes in applying preventive measures, related to lack or absence of ventilation inside residential homes, poor installation and outdated appliances, as well as the use of cooking and taboon devices as a means of heating inside homes and shops."