Two individuals died in a suspected oxygen deprivation incident while conducting excavation work for the installation of a water pump in Barangay Simborio in the municipality of Pamplona, Negros Oriental on 11 May.

According to an initial investigation conducted by the Pamplona Municipal Police Station, authorities received a report around 4:50 p.m. regarding the incident involving two residents of the barangay.

Police said the victims were digging for the installation of a water pump when one of them descended into a deep excavation area measuring approximately 31 feet. Moments later, another worker reportedly noticed that the victim was no longer responding and went down into the hole to provide assistance.

However, both individuals allegedly experienced difficulty breathing due to the limited oxygen supply inside the narrow and deep excavation site, which may have caused suffocation and eventually led to their deaths.

The victims were immediately brought to the nearest medical facility, while authorities continue their investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.