The bodies of three employees from a local plumbing company, who became trapped inside a manhole at the corner of Bradford Street and Liverpool Road in Benoni South, have been recovered.

The bodies were retrieved shortly after 14:30, following a lengthy rescue operation that began this morning.

Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi said they were alerted to the incident when the workers failed to emerge from the manhole after entering it at around 20:30 last night.

Reports indicate that the employees were attempting to unblock a sewer line when unknown circumstances led to their entrapment. CCTV footage viewed by DEMS, Benoni K9, and Gauteng Search and Rescue Units shows one employee entering the manhole, followed by two others. None re-emerged.

Hear from Ntladi:

@benonicitytimes DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi: The three bodies of employees from a local plumbing company who were trapped inside a manhole on the corner of Bradford Street and Liverpool Road, #Benoni South, have been retrieved. #boksburg #benonitiktok ♬ original sound – Benoni City Times

The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

The scene was cleared at 15:15 and handed over to Benoni SAPS.

The Benoni City Times has requested comment from the management of the plumbing company.