Welder dies of suffocation inside septic tank in Dumanjug

A 28-year-old welder died of suffocation while working with a colleague inside a septic tank in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug, Cebu, on the morning of Tuesday, June 18, 2024. | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 28-year-old man, who worked as a welder, reportedly died of suffocation due to an unknown chemical while working with a colleague inside a septic tank in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug town, southwest Cebu, on Tuesday morning, June 18, 2024.

The accident was reported to personnel at the Dumanjug Police Station by a concerned citizen at around 12:30 p.m.

The deceased was identified as Mark Eniego, 28, a resident of Barangay Kanguha in Dumanjug. Eniego made a living as a welder and a plumber.

Police revealed in a report that the victim was working with another worker, Jerome Merenillo, at around 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

As they were welding inside a septic tank located near the Dumanjug Public Market, the two men allegedly suffocated because of an unknown “obnoxious” chemical inside the tank. This caused both men to lose consciousness while still inside.

According to the report, two other workers saw the victims and attempted to rescue them.

However, they also nearly lost consciousness due to the presence of the pungent gas and the lack of ventilation, prompting them to install a blower for ventilation.

Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, the unconscious workers were rushed to Barili District Hospital.

Eniego, however, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at 9:49 a.m. The doctor’s diagnosis showed that he died from acute respiratory distress secondary to toxic inhalation injury.

Dumanjug is a first-class municipality located approximately 78 kilometers southwest of Cebu City.

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