Workers die after inhaling wastewater gases

Two workers have died after inhaling toxic gases at a wastewater treatment plant in Italy.

The men, aged 36 and 40, were not wearing proper safety equipment at the time, Ansa.it reports.

According to the news source, the deaths have "reignited anger" over workplace safety levels in the country.

The victims had been working for a subcontracting firm employed by local authorities to clean water purification systems in the Imperia area.

Italy has the highest number of work-related deaths in Europe, with 1,260 employees losing their lives in 2007, compared to 593 in France.

In related news, several workers in the UK were taken to hospital last month after a chemical leak at a plant in Flintshire.

People were treated for a range of ailments, including vomiting, eye infections and breathing difficulties.

The incident happened after a chemical drum leaked while being moved, the BBC reports.

Written by Claire Manning