Two council workers lost their lives at the Firle Sewage Treatment Works in Glen View. The men, employed as sewage works attendants, were carrying out standard maintenance procedures when they were fatally overcome by toxic fumes. Preliminary reports from sources within the council indicate a potentially lethal leak of hydrogen sulphide gas, a notorious byproduct of waste decomposition.
The Harare City Council confirmed the devastating event in an official communiqué, stating,
“In an unfortunate and tragic incident, two City of Harare employees died at our sewage treatment plant in Glen View this morning while on duty.” The authority further noted that a multi-agency investigation is now underway, adding, “Police, the National Social Security Authority and City of Harare officials are investigating the matter.”
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Two Harare Council Workers Killed In Sewage Plant Gas Leak
The Firle plant, the largest of its kind in the capital with a daily capacity of 144,000 cubic metres, is a hazardous environment where toxic gases are an ever-present danger. The facility treats wastewater from across Greater Harare, which includes discharges from both domestic and industrial sources.
As the waste breaks down, it routinely generates methane, which is highly explosive, and hydrogen sulphide, a toxic gas known for its distinct rotten-egg odour. Furthermore, other poisonous gases, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide, can accumulate, displacing oxygen and leading to suffocation.
An anonymous source, close to the operation, questioned the safety protocols at the ageing facility.
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“We lost two workers due to a gas attack, while trying to unblock clogged tanks,” the source revealed, adding, “The gas must have leaked. In wastewater treatment, when waste degrades, it forms hydrogen sulphide. Where were the gas masks and gas detectors? These plants are dilapidated and need to be rehabilitated.”
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