A tragic incident occurred in Surat, Gujarat, where four workers lost their lives due to a toxic gas leak during a routine cleaning operation at a jewellery unit in the Ashwini Kumar area. Police confirmed the deaths on Saturday and have registered a case of accidental death. An investigation is underway as authorities await the post-mortem report.
Details of the Incident
According to officials, the incident took place early in the morning when a team of four labourers was engaged in cleaning a septic tank that collects waste from jewellery-cleaning processes. The sludge accumulated in the tank is typically cleared every two months as part of routine maintenance.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Alok Kumar stated that preliminary investigation, including a review of CCTV footage, suggests that none of the workers were using the required safety equipment during the operation. He explained that the waste product from jewellery cleaning flows into a septic tank, which undergoes regular cleaning to remove accumulated sludge. During the cleaning process, one worker fell into the tank, and the others who attempted to rescue him also fell in.
Sequence of Events
Police reported that the tragedy unfolded when one worker slipped and fell into the tank. In an attempt to rescue him, the other workers entered the confined space one after another. However, all four were overcome by toxic gases inside the tank and died.
"A total of four deaths have been reported. We are currently registering a case of accidental death. Preliminary examination of CCTV footage does not reveal the presence of any required safety equipment. Prima facie, chemical poisoning seems to be the cause, as sudden deaths resulting from asphyxiation in such contexts often involve chemical poisoning. However, we cannot state this definitively until the doctor's post-mortem report confirms the cause of death," Alok added.
Lack of Safety Measures
The workers lacked proper gear required for handling and removing the sludge, which led to the poisoning incident. The incident highlights the critical need for safety protocols in industrial cleaning operations. Authorities are investigating further to determine if any negligence was involved.
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