Bhawanipatna: In a tragic incident, at least six persons died due to suspected asphyxiation inside an under-construction septic tank at a village in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Tuesday.
According to preliminary information, the incident took place at Gaud Karlakhunta village under Madanpur Rampur area of the district during the removal of the centring from the septic tank.
Sources said the deceased included three masons, one labourer, the owner of the house and his son. Another worker became critical in the incident and has been admitted to hospital for treatment.
After learning about the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed profound grief over the tragic mishap and conveyed sy
mpathies to the bereaved families. Majhi also announced ex-gratia of Rs four lakh each for the next of kin of those who died in the mishap. The assistance will be released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), CMO said in a post on X
Locals said the mishap took place when workers had entered the newly built toilet tank to remove the centring structure. During the process, they reportedly became unconscious inside the tank due to suffocation. Others entered the tank in an attempt to rescue them but also fell unconscious.
After receiving information, local residents along with officials launched a rescue operation and pulled out all the victims from the tank. They were immediately rushed to the Madanpur Rampur Community Health Centre (CHC), where doctors declared six persons dead. The injured worker is stated to be in critical condition.
A police team visited the spot after receiving information and launched an investigation into the incident. While the exact cause of death was yet to be ascertained, initial reports suggest suffocation due to toxic gas inside the septic tank led to the tragedy.