A. Shanmugasundaram (16) of Keela Lakshmipuram and S. Sebastian (50) of the same area died due to asphyxiation while attempting to clean a well at Keela Lakshmipuram near Arumuganeri on Saturday.
Two others - E. Mariappan (56) and his son M. Muthukumar (21) - have been admitted to the intensive care unit of Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital.
Bathirakali, wife of Sakthivel of Keela Lakshmipuram, asked her neighbours A. Shanmugasundaram and S. Sebastian to clean the well which was not used for the past five years. As the well had dried up, she told her neighbours to make use of the well after cleaning it. About five feet of water was left in the well. Before getting into the well, Shanmugasundaram poured some phenyl to ward off foul smell emanating from the 15-foot deep well.
This could have caused deficient supply of oxygen to the duo leading to their death. Shanmugasundaram and Sebastian battled for their lives. On learning this, Mariappan and Muthukumar got down to rescue them but could manage to save themselves only.
On being rushed to hospital, Shanmugasundaram and Sebastian were declared brought dead to hospital, sources said.
