Two workers died of asphyxiation in a newly-constructed septic tank in a house at Periyakangana Kuppam near Cuddalore on August 5.
The deceased were identified as A. Manickam, 40, of Kakuppam, and S. Rajkumar, 38, of Sitharasolai in Villupuram district.
Police said R. Jagadeeshwaran was getting a septic tank constructed in his house within the Reddichavadi police limits.
The victims were engaged by him in the construction work for the last three months. On Monday, Manickam and Rajkumar were involved in removing the slab that supports the concrete structure. Manickam first entered into the tank and fell unconscious. When he did not come out, Rajkumar also went inside and fainted. The bodies were retrieved and sent to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital for post-mortem.
Police said that the septic tank was kept closed for nearly a month and poisonous gases could have formed inside, leading to asphyxiation.
The Reddichavadi police are questioning the house owner. A case has been registered.
