KARACHI: Three sanitation workers died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a choked sewerage line in Surjani Town on Friday evening, police and rescuers said.

Area SHO Sohail Khaskheli said that three private sanitation workers were hired by a local government official for cleaning of a gutter line in Sector 36-A near Aqsa Masjid.

Rescue-1122 spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan said that initially two workers entered the manhole. When they became unconscious, their third colleague tried to rescue them but he also fell unconscious.

Area people informed the rescue authorities, and a team with the help of local volunteers and rescue workers from the Edhi Foundation and Chhippa started efforts to pull the sanitation workers out.

He said one volunteer also fell in the manhole during the rescue operation. However, he was immediately rescued and provided first aid at the spot.

He said that all three sanitation workers died of inhaling toxic gases.

Their bodies were recovered and sent to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Surjani SHO Khaskheli identified the deceased as Wilson, Waqas and Nazeer and said that they belonged to the Christian community.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026