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A 55-year-old man and his 25-year-old son died of asphyxiation on Wednesday, August 26, after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a well at a house near Sowcarpet in Chennai.
The deceased were identified as Ravi, and his son Ayyanar, both natives of Tiruvannamalai district, who were residing at Chinnadurai Madam near Kodungaiyur in Chennai.
According to the police, the duo had been engaged by Prashanth, a businessman and resident of Sowcarpet, to clean and remove slit from a well at his house on Ela Kandappan street.
Ravi first climbed down into the well using a ladder and began clearing the silt. While working inside, he inhaled the toxic gas, lost consciousness and fell into the water.
On seeing his father collapse, Ayyanar climbed down into the well in an attempt to rescue him. He too inhaled the gas and collapsed.
Upon receiving information, a team from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services reached the spot and entered the well using breathing apparatus and protective masks.
They rescued both men from the well and shifted them to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
However, doctors examined them and declared them dead. Their bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.
Elephant Gate police have registered a case under Section 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths.
When TNM asked the Elephant Gate police whether the duo had been provided safety kits while cleaning the well, police said it was unclear and that the investigation is ongoing.