Two workers died after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning an under-construction Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) tank at a ceramic factory in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 10am at Excellent Ceramics in the Paragaon area of Habirbari Union.
The deceased were identified as Shafiqul Islam, 28, a mechanical welder and son of Faruk Gazi of Noksa village in Koira upazila of Khulna, and Rumel Mia, 25, a civil helper and son of Kuhil Mia of Balli village in Khaliajuri upazila of Netrokona.
According to fellow workers, Shafiqul entered the ETP tank to clean it but failed to respond after some time. Rumel then climbed into the tank to rescue him, but he also lost consciousness after being exposed to the toxic gas.
Hearing the workers' cries for help, others rushed to the spot and rescued the two unconscious workers.
They were taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where the attending doctors declared them dead.
Police visited the factory after being informed of the incident.
Officer-in-Charge of Bhaluka Model Police Station Zahidul Islam said factory authorities had already taken the injured workers to the hospital before police arrived.
"The bodies are now at the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital," he said.
Superintendent of Police of Mymensingh Industrial Police-5 Md Ansar Uddin said legal action would be taken against those responsible if the investigation finds negligence by the factory authorities or any lapse in the rescue operation.