Patna, Aug 29 (IANS) Four migrant workers died after being overcome by toxic fumes while working inside a septic tank in Savanhi Patti village, located on the border of the Shripur and Gopalpur police station areas in Bihar’s Gopalganj district, on Saturday.
The incident triggered panic in the village.
Another man, who entered the tank while attempting to rescue the workers, was also overcome by the fumes and sustained serious injuries.
He was taken to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for treatment.
According to preliminary information, a woman, Reshma Khatun, was constructing a house on a plot gifted to her by her father following her husband’s death.
The septic tank at the construction site had filled with water, and workers were engaged in removing the centering used during construction.
Javed Alam, alias Tipu Alam, and Shabbe Alam reportedly entered the tank first to remove the centering. They were soon overcome by fumes and lost consciousness.
After hearing their cries for help, Bunty Baitha and Umesh Yadav entered the tank to rescue them, but they too were affected.
Seraj Khan subsequently entered the tank in an attempt to rescue the others and was also overcome by the fumes.
Villagers later reached the spot and, after considerable effort, pulled the men out of the tank and rushed them to the hospital.
Doctors declared four of them dead, while Seraj Khan was admitted for treatment.
Police and administrative officials from the Shripur, Phulwariya and Kuchaikot police stations reached the site and took stock of the situation.
Police took custody of the bodies and sent them to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
The deceased have been identified as Bunty Baitha alias Rakesh Baitha, Javed Alam alias Tipu Alam, Umesh Yadav and Shabbe Alam.
Seraj Khan sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment.
The incident has left the families of the deceased devastated, while a pall of gloom has descended over the village.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
–IANS
ajk/khz