Sudden death linked to watching World Cup overnight

NANJING - An overnight session watching the FIFA World Cup may have caused the death of a 25-year-old man in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, said a local hospital on Monday.

The man was found dead in his room early on Saturday morning with his TV set still airing the football.

Doctors in the Xiangcheng People's Hospital to which he was sent said they suspect his death was linked to staying up late watching the games, which are taking place in the middle of the night in China due to the time difference with tournament host country Brazil.

Although the doctors did not specify what exactly may have caused this fatality, exhaustion or a heart attack are possible factors. They warned football fans to be cautious about their health.

China may not be represented at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but Chinese have nevertheless been burning the midnight oil to watch games broadcast from midnight to 6 a.m. Beijing Time.