Bengaluru: Two workers died of suffocation when they were trying to clear a clogged manhole here on Tuesday near CPWD Quarters in Jayamahal Road.

The deceased are Prasanna Kumar(29), from Singapur Layout and Yatish Raju(31) of Thanisandra.

The incident took place on Tuesday late night when Yatish slipped into the sewage. Mason Prasanna Kumar who tried to rescue him also fell into it. The third worker started screaming for help. A man from a nearby apartment tried to help them but the fumes caused him to faint. Neighbours heard the commotion and alerted the fire and emergency personnel, who pulled the workers out.

At Mahaveer Jain Hospital, to where the three were shifted, two were declared brought dead.

A senior police officer said no PWD official was present at the spot, and blamed contractor Nagaraju for not providing any safety gear to the workers.

(Agencies)