A 40-year-old man died and another fell unconscious after they allegedly inhaled toxic fumes while repairing a sewer at Delhi Jal Board office in South-east Delhi's Okhla on Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Suresh. Police said that he worked with SDV Engineering Associates Pvt Ltd and was called to the DJB office to repair a screw that had blocked the flow of water in the sewer. Jagbir, who fell unconscious and is undergoing treatment, works at the office as a sweeper.
Police said that both the men were found lying inside the sewer and the men weren’t wearing any safety equipment.
“Police was informed around 11:15 am from the Jal Board office about the incident. On reaching the spot, the police team found two men – Suresh (40) and Jagbir (43) unconscious inside the sewer treatment plant, said RP Meena, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Southeast.
"The Delhi Fire Services were informed and the firemen pulled out the two men and rushed them to the hospital.Suresh was declared dead by the doctors while Jagbir is undergoing treatment," said the DCP.
"Another man named Murari (40) also tried to enter the sewer to rescue the men but couldn’t help them and came back, the DCP said.
"Murari told the police that Suresh worked in the morning hours and was told to repair a screw inside the sewer.When the man went inside, he inhaled fumes and fell unconscious. After some time, Jagbir noticed that Suresh hadn’t come out so he went inside the sewer to help him but also fell inside," said the DCP. Murari then tried to rescue both the men but came back and informed others, he said.
A case under sections of negligence resulting in death has been registered at Okhla police station against unknown persons, the DCP said, adding that an investigation will done to identify the accused.