Two dead after being trapped under a mine

COLOMBO (News1st): Two miners have died after being trapped inside a gem mine in the Weralupitiya area in Avissawella. The deceased individuals have been identified as residents of Kamburupola and Irattawatte. They are of the ages 45 and 42. A worker present at the location said the two miners had met their tragic fate after falling into the mine. "We tried to climb down the mine to save them. But we couldn't climb down below the gas layer," the worker told News1st. Police Spokesperson Ajith Rohana said it is suspected that they had died of breathing difficulties. "A post-mortem examination and an autopsy are to be carried out into this," he added. The spokesperson insisted that adhering to safety precautions at workplaces is of importance.