Three (3) Die in Underground Water Tank Rescue Operation

Three persons have died in a 14-feet underground water tank in Obinato, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Augustine Dimude (33), a carpenter; Onyebuchi Ezemokwe (22) and Chidebere Ezendu (21) allegedly died of suffocation on Tuesday at about 9am.

The tank is on the premises of an uncompleted one-storey building allegedly owned by Mr. Alex Muorah, a Lagos businessman.

A man, simply identified as Chukwuebuka, said the late Ezemokwe and Ezendu were contracted to wash the tank with some chemicals bought by Muorah.

He said: “I am frightened because we have never seen this type of death before in this town.”

Chairman of the Umudim Kindred Mr. Gilbert Obidiegwu said: “Shortly after Ezemokwe went into the water tank, he shouted and that prompted Ezendu to enter the tank to rescue him.

“Ezendu, who was also trapped, shouted for help and that attracted Dimude, a passer-by, but he too was caught up there. A fourth person, Ebere Oraekwe, collapsed on the ladder while trying to rescue them.

“It was another person, who covered his nose before going into the tank, that brought out the victims. They were taken to a hospital, where three of them were pronounced dead.

“Oraekwe is receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Mkporogwu, and the bodies have been deposited at the Visitation Mortuary in Umuchu.”

Nation | Nigeria