The rescued worker shared a drawing to explain the incident.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, three sewage workers were overcome by toxic gas in a sewer near Muxi River, Kemu Village, Anhai Town, Jinjiang. The workers had been sent down into the well for dredging when they were suddenly exposed to high levels of biogas. They were later rescued by firefighters and taken to Anhai Hospital. As of 7 p.m. last night, one of the workers was still in a coma, while the others were receiving treatment.

Rescue: Locating Trapped Workers in Just Minutes

By 5 p.m., reporters arrived at the scene, where the three victims had already been hospitalized. According to firefighter Xiao Zhang, the well’s structure made it difficult to navigate. Three firefighters equipped with protective gear and safety ropes descended into the narrow pipe. After about five minutes, they located the trapped individuals. One was conscious, while the other two were unconscious.

“At that moment, the air tanks of the rescuers were nearly empty,” Xiao Zhang said. Once the location was confirmed, the rescuers used belts to secure the victims before pulling them up. “The people above pulled, and the ones below pushed,” he explained. Through continuous effort, all three were successfully brought out of the well.

Mr. Chen, a witness, reported that the three workers were covered in mud and wearing raincoats. One regained consciousness within a few minutes, while the other two were carried away by an ambulance.

Worker’s Account: “Biogas is Stronger Below.”

In the emergency room of Anhai Hospital, Wang Youhua, one of the rescued workers, was awake and in stable condition. He told reporters that his team had started dredging operations at 1:30 p.m. When they went down, each worker wore a gas mask and was properly equipped.

“Suddenly, I heard someone shouting for help from the bottom of the well,” Wang said. “I rushed down and found that the methane level was extremely high.” Two of the workers had already lost consciousness. He tried to help but quickly felt overwhelmed and climbed back up for assistance.

Wang believes the gas may have been released when the workers used water guns to clear the silt. The two unconscious workers were immediately taken to the hospital and later transferred to the ICU.

Hospital Update: One Person Still Critical

At 6:15 p.m., reports from Anhai Hospital indicated that all three patients were middle-aged. One, surnamed Dai, remained in a coma, while another, Lu, was conscious but suffered from lung damage and airway issues.

A hospital official in the ICU stated that the severity of the patients’ conditions was still being assessed. Currently, only supportive care is being provided to stabilize their organ functions. Tests revealed that the gas inhaled contained hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, leading to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in both critically ill patients.

China Labor Insurance Network Tips:

Operating in confined spaces can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Using a gas mask without knowing the exact composition of the air can be risky. Gas masks are only suitable when there is enough oxygen and the toxic gases can be filtered. In situations like this, it is recommended to use a powered air-purifying respirator or a long hose respirator if close to an air source.

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