Toxic gas kills 3 workers in Ambur tannery

The victims were identified as Ranganathan (46), supervisor of the tannery on the Ambur-Vaniyambadi road; Kothandan (31), son of Chinnathambi, and Selvam (25), son of Baskar from the neighbourhood. The other workers had stepped out for tea. 

Kothandan and Selvam, under the supervision of Ranganathan, were cleaning the tank. Suddenly, Selvan struggled to breath after inhaling toxic gas that emanated from the tank. Kothandan, who tried to save him, also inhaled the toxic fumes. On seeing their plight, Ranganathan got into the tank to save them. He also inhaled the gas and all the three fell unconscious.  Other workers on their return sensed the condition of the trio and retrieved the bodies. On information, the Umarabad police rushed to the spot along with revenue officials and sent the bodies to the Ambur government hospital for a postmortem. 

Meanwhile, relatives of the victims blocked ambulances from taking the bodies to the hospital demanding justice from the company authorities and sought action against those responsible for the death of the three workers.