An autopsy on Thursday is expected to reveal the exact cause of death of two men whose bodies were found in an office space being used as a makeshift living area in Episkopi, Limassol.

Authorities are investigating whether the men died from inhalation of carbon dioxide from a charcoal grill that had been lit inside the room.

One of the two Egyptian nationals, aged 28, who lived in Paphos, appears to have been using the office intermittently and had been working with the office owner, according to reports. It is unclear if this was a business partnership for the import of goods or related to procurement of workers.

The building is the property of the Greek-Cypriot refugee association and questions remain about the leasing of the second floor to the business in question.

The 28-year-old associate had been in the midst of securing a renewal of his legal status in the Republic, Limassol CID Chief Lefteris Kyriakou told the CyBC.

As for the second man, aged 42, he appears to have been a temporary guest who was illegally in the Republic.

The room where the men stayed overnight was smoky when they were discovered the next morning by a member of staff but the fire service had not been called out and fire extinguisher had stayed in place.

The office was equipped with an AC unit and a heater, however, neither had been used, Kyriakou said.

Police are continuing to collect statements and the autopsy scheduled for 11am at Nicosia General Hospital morgue will provide answers as to the exact cause of death.