Two men died in Orkney in the North West earlier today after they seemingly inhaled toxic gasses while unblocking a sewer pipe.

According to the Matlosana Local Municipality, the men were not employees of the municipality, neither were they contracted by the municipality to provide such services.

Executive Mayor Fekile Mahlope says investigations are currently underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

An inquest docket has been registered by the police.

In a similar incident reported in February, two employees of the Tswaing Local Municipality in the province died on duty while attempting to unblock a drainage system in Agisanang Township outside Sannieshof.

The pair aged 38 and 53 perished inside a sewage manhole.