The Bhutanese Leading the way.
On 11th December, 2024, three deaths were reported in Thimphu under varying circumstances.
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) is investigating all three incidents but has ruled out foul play in all cases.
The first incident involved a 43-year-old man found dead in Youselpang. As per police investigation, the man, who was known to be homeless and an occasional visitor to the home of an elderly couple, likely fell from a 2.3-meter wall sometime between 8 pm on December 10 and 8 am on December 11.
The complaint was lodged by the elderly couple, when they found the deceased lying on the ground near their house.
A preliminary forensic examination suggests the cause of death was head and neck injuries sustained from the fall, with no other visible injuries. Blood and urine samples are being analyzed to confirm the exact cause of death.
The second incident occurred around 1pm at a factory in Wangbama. A 37-year-old woman operating machinery at her own pasta factory got trapped in the machine and died from asphyxiation due to neck compression caused by the machine’s blades.
Prior to the incident, her mother and brother were assisting with the production. During the production process, the mother heard a cry from the deceased and upon quickly rushing to check, witnessed the incident.
Despite efforts by the mother and brother to free her, they were not able to do so immediately. By the time she was detached, she had succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation team’s examination revealed scratches and bruises consistent with the accident and so there was no foul play.
The third death involved a 43-year-old bank manager who drowned in a drain near the Bhutan Post Office (BPO) roundabout in core Thimphu at around 1:30 pm.
CCTV footage shows the man, walking past the BPO around lunch time in a pangtse gho. He was seen normally crossing the road. However, after crossing a meter, his bodily moments suddenly changed as he started walking in a crisscross manner. Within seconds after that his body changed direction as if his body was dragged towards the bushes below the BPO roundabout. He was nowhere to been seen.
Police received a complaint at around 2pm, as the man was found death in the drain below the roundabout where he went missing from the footage. Upon the arrival of the police team, they found the man’s dead body in the drain with the water still flowing. He had succumbed to death few minutes before they had arrived.
After identifying his relatives, it was known that the deceased was an epilepsy patient ongoing regular treatment.
It was also known that he had earlier incidents of seizures. So, the sudden change in movement was likely caused by seizure attack. The cause of death was determined as drowning. Foul play has been ruled out.
The body of the deceased has been handed over to his family members.
