Two persons, a sewage tanker lorry driver and a cleaner, were asphyxiated when they were cleaning a sewage tank in a factory in SIPCOT in Tirumazhisai on Sunday.
According to the police, the factory manufactures car brake shoes. The management had reportedly hired a sewage tanker lorry to clean the sewage tank. On Sunday, around 2 p.m, the lorry arrived at the factory.
The driver, Vivekanandan, 27, and clearner, Veera, 25, both from Varadarajapuram, Nazarathpet, inserted a hose into the 15-foot-deep tank.
“After some time, Veera reportedly got into the tank. As he did not return, Vivekanandan entered the tank to check. Both were asphyxiated inside the tank,” said a police officer.
‘Manual cleaning is banned’
Arunkumar, from the Sewage Tanker Lorry Owners and Workers Welfare Association, said that they charge around ₹1,500 for clearing tanks using hose pipes.
“The driver and cleaner do not have to enter the tank. They have been asked to inform the association if any company or hotel owners request them to do so. Manual cleaning is banned,” he said.
The Vellavedu police retrieved the bodies and sent them for post mortem.
“We are investigating why they entered the tank as they had no reason to,” the officer said. An FIR has been registered. “We are yet to make any arrests,” he added.
