India, April 30 -- A 26-year-old sanitation worker died after allegedly inhaling poisonous gases while cleaning a clogged sewer in Palwal, police said on Wednesday.

The deceased from Jaindapur village had entered the sewer between 10.30am and 11am on Tuesday without safety gear, officers said. Police said he was working for the village panchayat and had been directed by office bearers to clean the sewer.

A senior police official said some people were present when the victim entered after removing the cover. "However, they got engaged in their work. After sometime, they realised something was wrong as they were unable to seen any movement," he said.

Investigators said the victim was later found unconscious inside the sewer. Locals pulle...