Two brothers, one other die while desilting well in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command said it has begun an investigation into the death of three persons, including two brothers, who were trying to desilt an abandoned water well in Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

It was gathered that the task involved working in a confined space, which requires control measures such as the use of oxygen masks, proper gas testing and adequate ventilation to mitigate risks before entry.

The spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone on Monday.

Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the son of the owner of the well wanted to put it back into use and contracted the two brothers to carry out the job when the incident occurred.

The owner wanted to put the abandoned well in use, and that was how the two brothers were contacted. So one of the boys first entered the well and started screaming.

The scream attracted the brother and a third person, a man, to enter the well to find out why he was screaming. Unfortunately, the three of them were trapped, and they died.

“Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the death,” she stated.

Meanwhile, a resident of the area, who did not want his name in print, told our reporter that the well might have been contaminated, as an offensive smell suspected to be toxic gas had been emanating from it prior to the incident.

Aminigboko is an oil- and gas-producing community in Abua/Odual, host to a multinational oil company.

The incident has heightened tension in the community, with residents expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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