Embraced couples found dead in car

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Two young couples were found dead in an embrace yesterday inside their van.

The cause of the deaths is still being investigated but forensic specialist Randanan Bandaso said yesterday there were indications that it could be carbon monoxide poisoning.

One couple -- Toni, 20, and Anita, 16, -- died in each others arms in the front seat of the Kijang van while Setiawan and Lina, both 14, were in the back.

Their vehicle was found parked inside the garage of a hotel on Jl. Monumen Emmy Saelan, Ujungpandang, early yesterday morning.

According to the hotel reception clerk, they had rented a room at the hotel earlier in the evening. After vacating the room about an hour later, they soon returned and asked to book the room for the rest of the night.

At about 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning, the hotel's security guard began to get suspicious when he saw the van parked in the garage near the room with the engine running and loud music playing.

When he peeked inside the van, he saw the bodies of the two couples and broke the car window to get to them. (37)