Diesel fumes kill six Cambodian villagers draining well

A body being recovered from the well (Photo: Chanthet, Koh Santepheap)

Mar 9, 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - Six villagers died one after another after entering a well filled with diesel fumes in east-central Cambodia, national media reported Tuesday.

The villagers had decided to use a diesel pump rather than buckets for the annual task of removing contaminated water from the well, the Cambodia Daily newspaper said.

Commune chief Men Sarun was quoted as saying the first man climbed into the well and installed the diesel pump above the waterline, about 2 metres below the top of the 9-metre-deep well. However, he succumbed to the fumes shortly after starting the motor, Men Sarun said.

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