Three more dead in Japan gas suicides*

 From correspondents in Tokyo

May 06, 2008 07:29pm
Article from: Agence France-Presse

THREE Japanese people were found dead today in the latest apparent
suicides using detergent involved in a spate of deaths across the nation.

A 17-year-old high school student was found dead from apparent gas
inhalation in the bedroom of his family's house in western Osaka
prefecture, a police spokesman said.

Police found a suicide note and empty detergent and bath salt bottles
next to his body.

Separately, a 40-year-old man was found dead with empty bottles of
chemicals in a car in central Nagano prefecture, police said.

A third apparent suicide was reported in Hiroshima, where a 26-year-old
man was found dead in his apartment next to empty bottles of detergent,
media reports said.

About 60 neighbours evacuated after the man put a warning on his door
reading "gas is being made", the reports said.

Japan has one of the world's highest suicide rates.

The country has seen dozens of recent suicide attempts using hydrogen
sulphide gas, produced by combining common detergent and bath salts
through instructions found easily on the internet.

In line with recommendations on the websites, people attempting suicide
often warn nearby residents about the dangerous gas.