Low temperatures and power outages are merely inconveniences for many, but for others, they can be deadly risks. Canada has recently experienced a sustained drop in temperature, with many areas entering a period of severe cold. Meanwhile, some communities in Montreal experienced sudden power outages. Against this backdrop of alternating low temperatures and power outages, a worrying incident has drawn attention.
Montreal police say a 66-year-old woman was found dead in an apartment in Montreal’s West End on Sunday (January 25). The neighbourhood was experiencing a power outage that had lasted since Saturday morning (January 24).
Firefighters made a routine home visit and found the woman unconscious. Police reported that around 6 p.m. Sunday, firefighters found the woman unconscious in an apartment on Hudson Avenue during a community safety check and called the police. Montreal police then arrived at the scene.
The inspection was conducted because the area had experienced a large-scale power outage since Saturday, and the fire department proactively visited some residents to check if any were affected by the outage.
Police confirmed: Not a criminal case Montreal Police spokesperson Ann-Sophie Simard stated clearly when contacted by the media: “After completing the relevant investigation, the police confirmed that this incident did not involve any criminal activity.”
Police have not released further details about the woman’s personal circumstances, nor have they stated whether her time of death was directly related to the power outage.
The case has been transferred to the coroner for investigation into the cause of death and specific circumstances. The case has now been officially handed over to the Quebec Coroner’s Office, which is responsible for further investigating the woman’s cause of death and the specific circumstances surrounding her death. Relevant departments will consider the on-site situation, medical examination results, and environmental factors to determine whether there is a sudden health emergency or whether it is related to the life risks caused by a prolonged power outage.