Three suffocate to death while cleaning sump in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A routine attempt to clean an unused water sump in anticipation of harsh summer ended in tragedy. Three men, including the house owner, suffocated to death inside the confined structure at Immadihalli temple circle in Whitefield Saturday evening. The victims are house owner Muniswamappa, 67, plumber Rudra Kumar, 40, and food-delivery agent Vishwanath Achari, 27.According to preliminary probe, Muniswamappa had entered the unused sump to clean it with the help of Rudra Kumar, allegedly using chemical agents. When the two failed to come out or respond to calls from family members, concerns grew. Achari, who lived in the opposite house, was requested to step inside the sump to check on them.
However, Achari too did not return or respond, prompting residents to alert police. A Hoysala patrol vehicle reached the spot. "Sensing the three might have suffocated due to toxic fumes, a Hoysala staff member wore an oxygen mask available in the patrol vehicle and entered the sump. He found all three lying motionless. With the help of others, the three were pulled out and rushed to nearby hospitals. But they were declared dead," a senior police officer said.Muniswamappa was a retired private company employee. Achari, who got married last year, was expecting his first child next week.