“The two employees were among our most experienced and active personnel. They died due to the effects of residual fumes in the tank,” a senior Civil Defense officer told Rudaw.
The two rescuers were taken to hospital where they died. They were identified as Yusuf and Sabah.
The victim who fell into the tank also died.
The incident occurred early Friday morning at an illegal refinery behind the Kocher gas station in Shamamic district.
According to an informed source, the first victim was a tanker driver who fell into the tank while checking it. Workers at the refinery tried for about four hours to get his body out of the tank before calling the Civil Defense.
The first Civil Defense rescuer fell into the tank after inhaling toxic fumes, while the second slipped and fell during the rescue attempt.
Refinery workers have refused to comment and have prohibited any filming at the site.
Illegal refineries often lack basic safety standards. The government has repeatedly vowed to close them down because of environmental concerns.
