Two cleaners die of suffocation in drain

Two men died of suffocation while removing sludge from a drain in Port Qasim on Saturday.

The deceased, identified as 26-year-old Amjad and 24-year-old Qadeer, ventured into a drain close to a fertiliser company to clear out the accumulated thick waste, they succumbed to toxic fumes in the drain, leading to their death, according to Bin Qasim Town DSP Naeem Ahmed.

Upon receiving the distress call, police and Chippa volunteers reached the spot to retrieve the bodies. The bodies of the deceased were transferred to JPMC for medico-legal procedures.

DSP Ahmed said that the two men were removing waste from the drains linked with various oil companies. This collected grease would later be sold for use in the manufacturing of various products, such as soap.

Wilayat Shah, SHO Bin Qasim police station, said that the bodies have been handed over to the families for burial. The deceased hailed from Punjab and resided in the Lalabad area of Sukhan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2024.