KATHMANDU: Two individuals tragically succumbed to suffocation while engaged in digging a well at Khanalchwok of Changunarayan municipality-4 on Wednesday.

According to Rajan Karki, a police officer from District Police Sector, Bhaktapur, the victims were identified as 28-year-old Sandesh Sunar and his 46-year-old uncle, Dipak Sunar, both originally from Umakunda-4 of Ramechhap.

The incident occurred as they were digging the well on rented land. Despite concerted rescue efforts, including a team comprising 30 police personnel from the Sector, nine from the Armed Police Force, and 25 from the Disaster Management Division, Kathmandu, the duo could not be revived.

The rescue team acted swiftly upon receiving information that the Sunar duo had lost consciousness while working approximately 55 feet below the surface. Although they were retrieved from the well and rushed to Bhaktapur Hospital, doctors pronounced them dead upon arrival. Currently, their bodies are being held at the hospital for post-mortem examinations, while investigations into the tragic incident remain ongoing.