Three Hanuman Nagar residents, who used to do nullah and septic tank cleaning work for local contractors, died due to suffocation while cleaning one such tank at a Nalasopara West building on Thursday.

According to the police, the deceased workers have been identified as Sunil Chavria, 30, Pradeep Sarvaye, 25, and Bika Bumbak, 25. Sources said six workers were doing the cleaning work at Anand View building in Nilmore area when the incident took place. After the fire brigade and Nalasopara cops were informed, they along with the other workers pulled the three of them out of the tank and rushed them to the nearest hospital. However, doctors declared them brought dead. Sources said the workers had not been provided with safety gear.