Bhawanipatna, May 26: At least six people lost their lives in a suspected case of asphyxiation while removing centring from an under-construction septic tank at Gaud Karlakhunta village under M. Rampur area of Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Tuesday.
The deceased are Nimai Pal (48), a septic tank contractor from Gaud Karlakhunta village, his son Akash Pal (28), labourer Adal Majhi (55), Manoranjan Hati (27) of Matoganda village, and Chhanda Jala along with Bipul Jala of Dutagaon. Another worker, Pankaj Jani (32) of Hatikhola village, sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment.
According to local sources, the tragedy occurred when workers entered the newly constructed toilet tank to remove centring materials. They reportedly lost consciousness inside the confined space due to suffocation. In a desperate attempt to rescue them, others entered the tank one after another but also fainted.
Following the incident, locals and administrative teams rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation, pulling all the victims out of the tank. They were immediately taken to Madanpur Rampur Community Health Centre, where doctors declared six of them dead on arrival.
The injured worker remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment.
Police from Madanpur Rampur have reached the site and initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the entire region.
