By Staff Reporter

Two City of Harare employees died on duty after they allegedly inhaled toxic fumes at the municipality’s Glen View sewer treatment plant.

In a statement, the municipality described the deaths as “unfortunate and tragic,” saying the circumstances are still under investigation.

City of Harare spokesman Stanley Gama said he was waiting for a full report, but hinted that preliminary information indicated that they died from toxic sewer gas.

 “The City of Harare extends its deepest condolences to the families of the two and we promise to get to the bottom of the matter,” the council said.

Police, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and City officials have launched a joint probe into the accident.

Sewer drains generally contain hydrogen sulphide, a highly poisonous gas which when inhaled in confined spaces can paralyse the lungs within minutes. Other toxic gases commonly found in sewers include methane and carbon dioxide which can also displace oxygen, leading to suffocation, while ammonia may cause respiratory failure at high levels.

The Harare incident follows similar ones in Gweru and Kadoma where two employees suffocated respectively while working in sewer manholes.