Syrian refugee mother, her 3 children die from burning coal in Lebanon

Four Syrian refugees in southern Lebanon – including three children – died after inhaling toxic fumes from burning coal to warm their room, said Lebanese state media.

A mother and her three children ages 4, 7, and 8 died in their sleep in the village of Kharayab, the Lebanese state news agency reported Sunday.

The deaths took place as Lebanon is suffering from a fuel and electricity crisis amid a crippling economic crisis.

Lebanon is home to 1.5 million Syrian refugees who fled war in next-door Syria.

According to UN estimates, around 90% of Syrian refugee households live in extreme poverty.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara