Three men die digging well

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Three residents of Tondo village in the East Palu district died of asphyxiation while digging a well, Antara reported on Wednesday.

Roby Aswin, Benyamin and Sofyan Lahi, all 20 years old, were installing a pump in a 16-meter deep well near the Ittihadul Akhiraat Mosque when they inhaled fumes from the machine, said Central Sulawesi Police Chief Maj. Razali.

Sumardin, a worker who had supervised the digging from above had started the pump. But he was unaware that his colleagues were in trouble because of the loud noise and the thick smoke coming from the machine.

The workmen fell into the 2-meter deep water that had begun to fill the well.

Police are investigating the case. (swe)