Two workers asphyxiated at sugar mill in Sivaganga

Two workers died of asphyxiation while cleaning a molasses tank at a private sugar mill near Sivaganga.

Police said a private sugar factory operates in Padamathur area near Sivaganga with more than 300 workers. As the sugarcane crushing season had commenced on December 22, following a temporary halt in operations, maintenance and cleaning are currently under way.

On Wednesday morning, 35-year-old Mohana Sundaram from Karumbavur entered the molasses (sugarcane pulp) tank to clean it. Shortly after entering, he suffered from a lack of oxygen and fainted inside the tank.

In an attempt to rescue him, 59-year-old Ponnalagu from Maduraimukku, Sivaganga, also entered the tank. He, too, suffocated by toxic fumes and lost consciousness. The bodies were sent to the Sivaganga Government Hospital for post-mortem.

Thiruppachethi police have registered a case and are currently investigating.

Meanwhile, relatives of the deceased initially refused to accept the bodies, demanding more compensation for the families of the victims. Following discussions, police officials and the mill management held talks to pacify the protesters and reached a resolution.