SAHIWAL, Aug 4: Two mechanics are feared dead while five labourers rescued after the wall of a well they were digging collapsed at 110/9-L village located near Sahiwal-Pakpattan Road.

Reports said two mechanics – Shabbir and Achhoo – both resident of 104/9-L village, Harrapa, were working at the bottom of the 32-foot deep well, while five labourers were outside when the accident occurred at about 3pm.

The village residents immediately informed Rescue 1122 service, whose officials rescued the five labourers from the slime, while there was no clue to the mechanics till the filing of the report. The rescued labourers were shifted to the DHQ Hospital, Sahiwal.

Rescue 1122 officials had reportedly informed District Civil Defense personnels that a heavy crane was required to rescue the mechanics. As no crane was available, the matter was reported to the DPO who arranged two heavy cranes for the operation which was still underway. Sources said the cranes reached the spot at about 7pm.

Till the filing of the report, the cranes could dig up the depression 17 feet down. The persistent rain was complicating the operation.

Dera Rahim SHO Tariq Salar told Dawn: "The two victims had a voice contact with the rescuers for at least three hours after the accident.

But, for the last one hour there was no sound coming from inside the well and we fear the mechanics might have died because of suffocation."

The rescued labourers include Munawar (35), Nasir (28) and Bahawal Sher (20).