A driver, Emmanuel Ayisi Justice, 37, and his mate, Emmanuel Dankyi, have died after spending the night at a hotel in Nkawkaw in circumstances believed to be linked to a recently fumigated room.

The two men were transporting charcoal from Donkorkrom in the Afram Plains North District to Accra.

Reports indicate that, after arriving in Nkawkaw late at night, they decided to lodge at Elsie Hotel and continue their journey the following morning.

The next morning, unusual sounds and movement from their room attracted the attention of hotel staff. When staff entered the room, they found the driver unconscious, while his mate was still conscious but extremely weak.

Both men were rushed to Kenop Care Hospital in Nkawkaw, where they were pronounced dead.

Sources at the Nkawkaw District Police Command said the room had been fumigated for bedbugs a day earlier. The hotel manageress had reportedly instructed staff not to allocate the room to guests for at least two days to allow the chemicals to dissipate.

However, the security officer on duty allegedly ignored the directive and checked the driver and his mate into the room.

Investigators suspect the two died after inhaling toxic fumes from the chemicals used during fumigation.

Their bodies have been deposited at the Holy Family Hospital morgue pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.