Three die inside newly constructed septic tank in Odisha’s Ganjam

Police said action would be taken if they found negligence on the part of the person engaging the head mason

Three people, including a construction worker, died of suffocation in Ganjam district of Odisha on Thursday afternoon after entering a newly built septic tank through a manhole to remove the shuttering from inside.

Representational Image. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Berhampur superintendent of police Pinak Mishra said head mason Sadanand Reddy, who was overseeing the construction of the septic tank for T Sidhesu Reddy of village Bikrampur first entered it through a manhole to remove the shuttering that was given to keep the wet concrete mix compact. The masons cast the top cover of the tank two weeks ago.

When Sadanand did not come out, two of Sidhesu’s neighbours -- Krishna Reddy and P Tareni Reddy -- too went inside. “When none of them came out, Sidhesu sought help of the fire brigade. The three may have died of suffocation,” said SP Mishra.