3 labourers die while cleaning sewer line

Chandigarh, May 30

Three labourers died apparently after inhaling a poisonous gas while cleaning a sewer line near Kali Badi point here today, police said.

The incident occurred when the three had gone inside the sewer to clean it, police said.

The labourers, who belonged to Panchkula, are suspected to have inhaled some poisonous gas inside the sewer, police said.

The authorities were alerted by a fourth labourer who was also present at the spot.

"We are conducting investigations into the case," Assistant Superintendent of Police (South), Navdeep Singh Brar said.

Asked if the labourers were equipped with safety equipment to carry out the cleaning operation, Brar said all these things are being investigated.

He also said necessary action will be taken as per law against the contractor if he is found guilty of not taking all precautions and following rules while engaging the labourers for the work. PTI