3 workers die after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning septic tank at Delhi factory
A cleaning job was underway at a printing press factory when one worker entered a septic tank and collapsed after being exposed to poisonous gas. Two others went in one after another to rescue him, but were also overcome by the fumes.
Three workers died after inhaling poisonous gas while cleaning a septic tank at a factory in Delhi's Mundka industrial area on Friday afternoon, officials said.
The victims were identified as Arun (38), Sandeep (32) and Chand (42), all residents of the Indrajheel area in Sultanpuri area. Their bodies were recovered from the septic tank and sent to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri for post-mortem examination.
According to the Delhi Police, a PCR call was received regarding workers being trapped inside a septic tank at a factory. Police said Marwah Printers had hired a person to clean the septic tank located inside the factory premises. The workers were carrying out the cleaning work when the incident occurred.
During the initial rescue operation, firefighters faced difficulties due to heavy traffic congestion in the Jwala Puri area. An additional fire tender was sent through an alternate route to reach the spot.
Preliminary investigation revealed that one worker entered the septic tank and fell unconscious after being exposed to toxic gas. Two others entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him but were also overcome by the fumes.
Delhi Fire Service personnel managed to pull all three workers out of the tank after a difficult rescue operation. However, they had already died.
"All three bodies have been recovered and shifted to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Mangolpuri, for post-mortem proceedings to ascertain the cause of death. Further, appropriate legal action is being taken under relevant sections of law," Delhi Police said.
Mundka SDM Shiv Singh Meena said authorities visited the site to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident. He said officials found a printing press facility where two septic tanks were present and chemicals were being discharged into them.
"The police have been directed to take immediate action, register an FIR, and proceed with the necessary legal steps," Meena said. He added that the families of the deceased had been assured government assistance.
A relative of one of the victims alleged that the factory authorities failed to provide safety equipment to the workers.
"I went to the scene, but the police didn't let anyone enter. They said that the first person went in, then he was overcome by gas and collapsed inside. Another went to rescue him and also collapsed inside. Then a third went to rescue them and got stuck inside as well. It happened one after another. If we talk about the fault, it lies with the factory owner. They didn't provide any equipment," he said while speaking to news agency ANI.