They were cleaning sewage tank in an apartment complex
— Photo: K. Manikandan
NEGLIGENCE: The septic tank of the residential complex in Pallikaranai, in which three workers died on Thursday.
TAMBARAM: Three workers were asphyxiated while cleaning a sewage tank in an apartment complex on Velachery Main Road in Pallikaranai on Thursday morning.
N. Krishnaiah (50) and I. Kannaiah (30) died when they jumped into the tank to rescue their co-worker B. Ravi (35).
The three men were engaged by Bharath, a contractor based in Kovilambakkam, to clean the tank of Doshi Symphony apartment complex. The tank was 15 feet deep and about 20 feet wide. The workers came to the spot at 3 a.m. Initially, they pumped out the waste and after a while, had to get into the tank to clear the sludge.
Ravi was the first to get into the tank. He inhaled poisonous gas and went unconscious. Noticing this, the two others entered the tank to rescue him. However, all three of them died.
Residents and crew of the lorry tanker alerted the police, who in turn called up the Fire control room.
A team from Raj Bhavan came to the spot and after about an hour, the bodies were pulled out.
The Pallikaranai police have arrested Mr. Bharath. The police said sewage from all the 185 flats was collected in the tank. The contractor was hired to clean the tank after a long time. He was arrested as basic precautionary measures were not observed, the police added.
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