A manager and a contract labourer today died of suffocation and serious injuries during an accident at a Birla-run copper plant in Bharuch district of Gujarat, police said.
The deceased were identified as Prince Kshatriya (33), a manager, and labourer Balram Chaudhary (31), a native of Madhya Pradesh.
Dahej Marine Police said the incident took place at swelter plant-3, when the two employees fell into a 'Dry Copper Concentrate Vessel' at the plant, located in Dahej Industrial Area here.
"Kshatriya went to the top of the vessel which has a considerable depth for inspection, but lost balance and fell inside the hollow beam," Sub-Inspector S B Sharma said.
While trying to save him, Chaudhary too fell in, he said, adding, both apparently fell unconscious after inhaling the gases. They also sustained severe injuries due to the fall.
Other workers pulled them out and rushed to a hospital in Bharuch, but both were declared dead on arrival there.
"We have lodged a case of accidental death and started further investigation," Sharma said.
The company said in a statement that an enquiry would be conducted into the incident.
