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Three dead, one critical after inhaling toxic gas inside well in Chandauli
Police said four men descended into the well to retrieve a stuck submersible pump. Shortly after entering, all four collapsed due to the presence of toxic gas.
Three men died and a fourth remains in critical condition after inhaling toxic gas inside a disused well in Kidhira village, under the jurisdiction of the Shahabganj police station in Chandauli district, on Saturday.
Police said four men descended into the well to retrieve a stuck submersible pump. Shortly after entering, all four collapsed due to the presence of toxic gas. Panic ensued among onlookers outside when the men stopped moving and failed to respond to calls.
Locals and police personnel managed to pull all four individuals from the well and rushed them to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared three of them dead on arrival. The deceased have been identified as Jamal, Tauqir Alam and Waris Ali, all in their late twenties.
The sole survivor, Shamsher, also in his late twenties, was initially taken to a primary health center before being referred to the district hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Chandauli district magistrate Chandramohan Garg stated that, prima facie, the deaths appear to have been caused by suffocation due to the buildup of toxic gases, such as methane or carbon monoxide, or a severe lack of oxygen inside the sealed space over time.
Police have taken custody of the bodies for post-mortem examinations and initiated legal proceedings. DM Garg added that a detailed investigation is underway and assured that all possible financial assistance will be extended to the bereaved families as per government rules.
