TIRUCHY: Two contract sanitation workers of the city corporation died from asphyxiation on Monday while engaging in the commissioning of a newly-built underground drainage (UGD) pipeline network near Carmel Garden in Muthunagar, Tiruverumbur, sources said.
The deceased were identified as A Ravi (38) of Thiruvappur in Pudukkottai and Prabu (32) of Chinna Salem in Kallakurichi. Ravi had been working on contract for a construction firm engaged by the Tiruchy corporation for the past three years. Both men were the breadwinners for their respective families.
According to the police, Ravi stepped into the sewer line to correct a jet rod used for clearing blockage when he slipped and collapsed after inhaling the fumes inside. Prabu, who rushed in to rescue him, also collapsed by inhaling the fumes.
On information from corporation staff, fire and rescue services personnel from Tiruverumbur recovered the bodies which were then sent to the Thuvakudi government hospital in for post-mortem.
The Tiruverumbur police have registered a case and are probing the circumstances that led to the deaths.
Officials said the incident occurred while the underground drainage network, taken up under Phase-2 works, was being readied for commissioning.
Corporation Mayor Mu Anbalagan said all necessary help would be provided to the deceased workers’ families. When asked whether the victims had been given proper safety gear, he maintained that both slipped and fell to their death.