Two die of asphyxiation while cleaning septic tank near Palladam

Tirupur: Two men died of asphyxiation and another person is battling for life at hospital after they entered a septic tank at a dyeing mill at Karaipudur near Palladam here on Monday afternoon for cleaning.

The Palladam police identified the deceased as R Gopal, 30, and Saravanan, 31, both residents of AD Colony at Sundamedu. Another person, Hari, 27, is admitted to a private hospital. His condition is critical.

While two others - A Chinnathambi, 36, a septic tank cleaner truck owner from Sundamedu, and Muthukumar, 30, a dyeing unit worker from Veerapatti in Pudukottai - were also admitted to a private hospital, their condition is stable.

The Palladam police said the management of Aalaya Dyeing Mills at Karaipudur had roped in Chinnathambi to clean the septic tank on the mill premises.

"Chinnathambi brought Gopal, Saravanan and Hari to clean the septic tank. The trio stepped into the septic tank to spray water inside. They came out in a few minutes. They then noticed sludge inside the septic tank. Gopal entered the tank using a ladder. Suddenly, he fell into the tank and became unconscious. Saravanan and Hari also entered the septic tank and became unconscious after inhaling the poisonous gas," a police officer said.

Chinnathambi, along with dyeing unit worker V Muthukumar, rushed to the tank to rescue the trio, the officer said. "Their fate wasn't any different. The mill workers entered the septic tank and took all the five out and rushed them to hospital. However, Gopal and Saravanan died of asphyxiation."

Police have registered a case against Chinnathambi and the management of the dyeing mill.