The Sri Lankan Police has warned the public to be mindful of toxic gases such as methane in dark enclosed spaces, such as wells, especially those containing stagnant sludge water that hasn’t been exposed to sunlight for extended periods.
The Police said entering such areas without proper inspection by authorities or using safety protocols can be fatal.
The warning comes after a 39-year-old resident of Mulgama, Balangoda, tragically died after falling unconscious and collapsing into a well that had been sealed for a long time.
The individual had arrived at a house in the Galtamyaya area of the Kalthota Police Division with two friends yesterday and had begun cleaning a long-sealed well near the house with the intention of making it usable again.
After removing the water, the deceased had entered the well to clear the sludge at the bottom when he lost consciousness and fell, eventually being pronounced dead. (Newswire)