Two die of asphyxiation near Hosur

Two workers died of asphyxiation after they fell into the septic tank of a factory owned by a leading battery manufacturer in Hosur in Tamil Nadu.

S Nagesh (25) and N Manjunath (35), who were working at the manufacturing unit of Exide Industries Limited in Sevaganapalli village near Hosur, died during the accident on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

While Nagesh hailed from Kothapalli, Manjunath was from Choodapuram. Police sources said the incident took place at 10 pm on Wednesday evening when Nagesh, who allegedly did not wear safety gear, opened the lid of the 30-foot deep tank and fell into it after inhaling poisonous gas.

“Manjunath, who saw Nagesh falling into the tank, jumped to pull him out, but died after inhaling the poisonous gas,” a police officer said, adding that the incident came to light only after their colleagues, who came looking for the duo, found them inside the tank.

The bodies were fished out of the tank by Hosur fire and rescue department personnel. Police said the victims had gone to clean the tank after the electric motor that is used to pump the untreated water from the sewage tank stopped working. “The cause of death, prima facie, is asphyxiation and further probe is on,” the police officer said.

Confirming that the incident took place at Exide Industries, Krishnagiri Collector Dr S Prabhakar told DH that a detailed inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

“The incident took place when the workers opened the septic tank of the factory. The district SP, DSP and Inspector of Factories inspected the spot and are conducting independent inquiries,” Prabhakar said. Efforts to reach Exide Industries did not fructify. The collector also said police have registered First Information Report (FIR) with regard to the incident and a probe is on.

The incident led to relatives of victims launching a protest outside the factory demanding justice for the dead. The relatives, who initially refused to accept the bodies, relented after senior officials of the company held talks with them.