Six people died of suspected asphyxiation inside an under-construction septic tank in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Tuesday, police said. One person also fell ill in the incident that took place at Gauda Karlakhunta village in Madanpur-Rampur police station area, an officer said.
The deceased were workers who had entered the tank for cleaning purposes without proper safety gear. The incident occurred when they inhaled toxic gases accumulated inside the confined space. Rescue operations were launched by local authorities, but the victims could not be saved.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased. He also directed officials to ensure proper safety measures in such construction sites.
The district administration has ordered a probe into the incident. The contractor involved has been booked under relevant sections of the law. Police are investigating if safety protocols were violated.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by workers in unregulated construction sites, where toxic fumes often lead to fatal accidents. Experts emphasize the need for strict enforcement of safety standards and use of protective equipment.
