A 40-year-old worker and a security guard died of asphyxiation on Sunday while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank in Noida's Sector 62, police said.
The Incident
The deceased were identified as Shashikant Sharma (40), a resident of Karauli district in Rajasthan, and Dharmendra (35), a security guard. According to police, Sharma entered the STP tank to clean it but lost consciousness inside. When he did not emerge, Dharmendra went in to rescue him and also succumbed to asphyxiation.
Rescue and Aftermath
Other workers raised an alarm, leading to a rescue operation. Both men were pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances, including whether safety protocols were followed.
Broader Context
The deaths highlight ongoing concerns about unsafe manual scavenging in India, despite legal bans. Two individuals lost their lives in this incident, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in sewage tank cleaning operations.
