A group of people at a beauty salon on Peradeniya Road in Kandy were hospitalized after suddenly collapsing due to suspected toxic smoke inhalation.

According to reports, the incident occurred in a multi-story building where all windows and doors of the beauty salon had been shut to operate the air conditioning after a power outage. A generator was turned on, and it is believed that fumes from the generator circulated inside the enclosed space.

An employee at a nearby store noticed a young woman unconscious outside the salon. When he and others opened the door to investigate, they found six young women and a man lying unconscious inside.

The police were immediately alerted, and the unconscious individuals were rushed to hospitals. Six were admitted to the Kandy National Hospital, while two others were taken to a private hospital.

Among the victims, four were employees of the salon, and the rest were customers.

Police suspect the cause was toxic smoke released from the generator and possibly circulated through the air conditioning system. Hospital authorities have confirmed that the condition of all eight individuals is gradually improving.