2 die while cleaning sewer in Coimbatore

The deceased have been identified as Murugan (37) and his friend Pandithurai (29). According to police, Murugan, a casual worker, was engaged by the residents’ welfare association of the housing unit in Singanallur to remove a block in the sewer.

Police said Murugan brought along his two friends Pandithurai and Suresh Kumar (30) for help. Murugan entered the manhole around 4.40 pm. He swooned after inhaling the poisonous gas. In a bid to rescue his friend, Pandithurai got into the sewer. “But, he too became unconscious and fell down. Both were not wearing any safety gear while getting into the sewer,” police said.

On receiving information, the fire and rescue service personnel rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies after a search for over an hour.

Meanwhile, the city corporation has warned against individuals taking up such cleaning works on their own, advising the public to instead inform the civic body.