Workers inhale toxic gas while cleaning septic tank, two dead, one critical

The incident occurred when three labourers were segregating solid waste from the liquid inside the tank.

Two labourers suffocated to death and another became critical on Monday after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank at Vedach village in Gujarat's Bharuch district, police said.

The workers fell unconscious due to the sudden discharge of toxic gas and were rushed to a nearby hospital. (Photograph by Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times)

"The incident occurred in the morning when three labourers were segregating solid waste from the liquid inside the tank. They fell unconscious due to the sudden discharge of toxic gas. They were rushed to a nearby hospital in Jambusar in an ambulance.

"However, two of them- Dharmendra Singh (32) and Vivek Pangade (26)- were declared brought dead by doctors at the hospital," said Vedach police station inspector B R Patel.

Another labourer, Dinesh Chauhan, has been referred to a hospital in Vadodara for treatment, he said.

Patel said the supervisor of a company that deals in processing industrial waste operate a pumping station in the village.

Further investigation is underway, Patel added.