Three Dead, One critical After Accident in Makkinga

Police officials said three farm workers died after falling into a manure silo in the village of Makkinga, northern of the Netherlands. Another man, who was in critical condition, was brought to a hospital. Udo Ockema/Wikimedia Commons On Wednesday, the hottest day of the year recorded in that area, emergency services and rescuers rushed to the scene after the men fell into the silo. They had to cut a part of the silo to get the victims out. "Three men died and a fourth has been taken to hospital in a critical condition," police spokesman Paul Heidanus told AFP. Heidanus added that there was virtually no manure in the silo, only a few centimeters. He said the investigation should confirm what really occurred. They still have to probe on the real cause of the accident, whether it was a fall or asphyxiation from gas. Suffocation or loss of consciousness may happen if the person is exposed to hazardous gases like hydrogen sulfide which can be produced by manure silos. Warm weather may also worsen the gases emitted.