Worker dies inhaling toxic fumes during drainage cleaning in Bhimavaram

Rajahmundry: A man died while cleaning a drainage in Kovvada village limits of Bhimavaram mandal, while two others were hospitalised. Their condition is said to be stable. The three workers from Gundugolanu were assigned to de-silt a drainage filled with industrial waste from an aqua factory and a rice mill. While undertaking the work, poisonous gases emanating from the drain caused Pallapu Venkanna (40) to collapse. He died after inhaling the toxic fumes. His son Raju and son-in-law Prabhakar were also affected and were admitted to a hospital. Their condition is reported to be stable. The rice mill management announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh and assured medical assistance to the injured workers undergoing treatment. West Godavari SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi visited the spot and reviewed the situation.