Two former asylum seekers who went to Italy to earn money to support their families have died in a tragic accident while cleaning out a septic tank at a private villa.
The incident happened in Veternigo, in the municipality of Santa Maria di Sala near Venice, on the morning of Monday, 4th August.
The victims were identified as Ziad Saad Abdou Mustafa, 21, and Sayed Abdelwahab Hamad Mahmoud, 39, both originally from Egypt.
Picture shows Sayed Abdelwahab Hamad Mahmoud, 39, undated. He died in a septic tank in Veternigo di Santa Maria di Sala, Italy. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
They had recently settled in the Veneto region after arriving in Italy via the Mediterranean and were in the process of applying for international protection.
According to investigators, the men were performing maintenance work on the septic system of a recently sold villa on Via Desman when one of them entered the open tank and failed to return.
The second worker followed, reportedly in an attempt to help, but he too did not re-emerge.
Emergency services were called, and firefighters recovered both bodies.
Picture shows Ziad Saad Abdou Mustafa, 21, undated. He died in a septic tank in Veternigo di Santa Maria di Sala, Italy. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
Toxic fumes are believed to have caused the deaths, though investigations are ongoing.
Sayed, a married father of two, had arrived in Sicily several months earlier and was known for his volunteer work and dedication to integration activities, including Italian language classes and community events for migrants.
Ziad had arrived in January after a long journey from Egypt via Libya. He had no family in Italy and was working to support his two younger sisters, aged 14 and 17, who remained in Egypt.
Picture shows Sayed Abdelwahab Hamad Mahmoud, 39, undated. He died in a septic tank in Veternigo di Santa Maria di Sala, Italy. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
Both men had recently completed a workplace safety course and obtained temporary residence permits allowing them to work.
The villa’s owner had reportedly hired a company to inspect the septic system, and authorities are now investigating whether safety protocols and employment regulations were followed.
Local officials expressed their condolences, with Mirano Mayor Tiziano Baggio calling the incident a double tragedy, stating: "They managed to escape war and persecution only to die in our country while trying to work honestly."
(Mike Leidig / newsX)