Man dies while cleaning septic tank in Purnia, four rescued

Patna: A construction worker suffocated to death while four others became critical while cleaning a septic tank in Purnia district on Sunday. The septic tank was unused for the last two years.
The victims were admitted to Government Medical College Hospital, Purnia, police said.
According to the cops, the workers were cleaning a septic tank, which had been inactive for two years and accumulated rainwater, forming toxic gases inside.Upon entering the tank, the workers inhaled the harmful fumes and fell unconscious. Locals and family members rescued four workers using ropes. However, one worker, Raja Mahaldar (28), was delayed in being rescued and succumbed to the toxic fumes. The incident occurred at Diwanganj Kadam Toli in Mufassil police station area.
“The septic tank was outside the house of Mantu Mahaldar, a relative of the deceased. Four workers from the neighbouring village had arrived to clean the tank. Raja, who was familiar with the task, also came to assist with the cleaning. There was difficulty in opening the shuttering of the tank, but they managed to open it somehow,” he said.
The SHO added that two workers went inside first and fell unconscious by toxic gas. When there was no movement from inside, Raja entered the tank, but he too was trapped inside.
“The injured people were identified as Mitthu Mandal, Bharat Mandal, Chhotu Mandal and Sunil Mandal. They all are residents of Diwanganj,” the SHO added.