Six, including 3 of family, die of asphyxiation near Chennai

Six workers lost their lives after inhaling poisonous methane gas while cleaning a septic tank in a private apartment at Nemili. The bodies have been taken to the general hospital for an autopsy.

Chennai: Six people died of asphyxiation on Tuesday within minutes after inhaling toxic gas that emanated from a septic tank, police said.

According to the police, Krishnamurthy in Sriperumbudur town was clearing the septic tank at his house.

But Krishnamurthy slipped into the tank. Hearing his screams, one of his sons tried to help him but he too died.

Krishnamurhty's other son and then three others who then tried to rescue the trapped men also died after inhaling the toxic gas.