Toxic fumes kill two who fell into manhole

Ras Al Khaimah Two sanitary workers drowned in the manhole after inhaling toxic gases in a building at Faisal street in Ras Al Khaimah, said Colonel Mohammad Abdullah Al Zaabi, Director of Civil Defence in the emirate.

The two Asian workers drowned inside the sewage manhole after inhaling the gas while trying to open the blocked drainage, Al Zaabi said. One victim died at the scene, while the other victim died in the hospital where he was taken in a comma, he added.

The victim who was rushed to the hospital tried to pull his colleague out to save his life, but failed and instead fell in the manhole himself, said Al Zaabi.

The operation room at Ras Al Khaimah police received a call around 1.07pm. Civil defence personnel went to the manhole and pulled the victims out. The two workers were handling the task without taking any safety precautions, Al Zaabi said.

An investigation has been launched.