Two men died while installing pipes for a water pump in Barangay Simborio, Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Based on investigation, one of the two men who was working 31 feet below the ground reportedly complained he was having difficulty breathing.

His companion went down immediately to help but also reportedly lost consciousness.

Residents called for assistance and rescuers attempted to revive the victims. The two men, however, died.

Barangay chairman Tonton Banco explained that the two men and their companions were installing pipes for a water pump when the incident happened.

However, the pipes reportedly did not work, which was why one of the two men went underground to fix the problem.

Banco pointed out that the responders confirmed they were able to breathe underground during the rescue operation.

Banco believes the man who went down first may have drowned as there was water underground.

Members of the group also said that the man was able to call for help, prompting the other man to go down and assist him.

However, the ladder reportedly broke, causing the man to hit his head on a rock and fall into the water, which may have also led to his drowning.

As of this writing, authorities await the results of the post-mortem examination from the Pamplona Rural Health Unit to determine the exact cause of death.