Three men died of suffocation after being trapped in a 19-meter deep well in Mutare yesterday. The incident occurred while the men were using a petrol-powered water pump inside the well to drain the water, according to police.
It is believed the water pump emitted smoke and fumes that filled the well, leading to the suffocation of Last Murewa (31), Taurai Kamutano (41) and Elben Kandenga (38).
Their bodies were later retrieved from the well and taken to a local hospital for post-mortem examinations.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the tragedy.
“Police in Mutare are investigating a sad incident in which Last Murewa aged 31, Taurai Kamutano aged 41 and Elben Kandenga aged 38 died due to suffocation whilst draining water from an approximately 19-metre deep well using a petrol-powered water pump which they had placed in the well.
“The water pump emitted smoke which filled up the well and suffocated the victims,” he said.
The incident highlights the dangers of working in enclosed spaces like wells. Safety precautions and proper ventilation are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
