Four people died following a gas leak at a plastic recycling plant in Cape Town.

The incident took place at about 14:20 on Tuesday.

The city’s fire and rescue services responded to a call about a gas leak at the recycling company in Beaconvale, Parow.

According to the city’s fire and rescue spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, when they arrived on the scene, they found four bodies submerged in recycled water inside the factory.

“Upon arrival at the office, they discovered four bodies in recycled water inside the factory. Subsequently, the four bodies were recovered.”

He said a further three people were treated on the scene, while two men were sent to hospital for further treatment.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said according to information available to them, the deceased, identified as being adult males, aged 22, 35, 41 and 51 died inside the tank.

Crime scene experts and members of the provincial disaster management team were also at the scene.

The cause of death is being investigated, but it is believed that the men were overcome by toxic fumes inside the plant while cleaning an underground tank.