Two workers asphyxiated to death in Salem district

Two construction workers allegedly died of asphyxiation today, after they stepped into a sump at a construction site in a village in Salem district, about 160 kms from here, while another is in a serious condition, police said.
Raja, a construction labourer, first stepped into the sump at a construction site in Reddiyur, they said.
When he did not come up, another worker, Mani followed him in.
As they both did not surface for some time, another worker, Sathyaraj got into the sump and found them unconscious.
Even before he could climb out, he fainted and fell inside the sump.

Other workers then informed the police and managed to pull them out, police said.
While Raja and Mani were asphyxiated, Sathyaraj was admitted to a government hospital in Salem district, where he is said to be in a critical condition, police said.
A case has been registered and investigations is on, they added.