Two workers die of suffocation while cleaning chemical lorry tank in Erode

Tragic incident at water service station in Erode district leaves two workers dead from suffocation, investigation ongoing.

Two workers at a water service station in Konavaikal near Bhavani in Erode district died of suffocation while cleaning an empty chemical lorry tank that had previously transported aluminium chloride, on Sunday (March 30, 2025).

The police identified the victims as Chandran, 62, and Yuganandan, 50, both from Palakattur. Another worker, Chellappan, 52, of Chithode, who also experienced suffocation, was rescued and admitted to the hospital.

According to the police, the lorry had transported the chemical from Hyderabad to a dyeing company in Tiruppur, where it is used in effluent treatment plants to remove suspended solids and improve water quality. On its return, the driver, Sundararaja, 48, from Tirunelveli district, took the vehicle to Sri Bharani Service Centre, where three workers entered the tanker to clean it. However, all three lost consciousness, prompting an emergency response from Fire and Rescue Services personnel in Bhavani.

Rescue personnel, wearing safety gear, entered the tank and retrieved the workers. Chandran and Yuganandan did not survive, and their bodies were sent to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai. Chellappan was admitted to the Government Hospital in Bhavani, and his condition is said to be critical.

The Chithode police are investigating the incident.