Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the village of Padalguda on Tuesday when a desperate rescue attempt ended in the deaths of four people, three sanitation workers and a passerby all succumbing to toxic fumes inside a septic tank.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
The incident occurred while the workers were dismantling the central slab of a newly built 10×10 ft septic tank in Nandahandi block. Two workers reportedly began suffocating shortly after entering the tank. A third worker, in a frantic effort to save them, climbed in only to be overcome himself by the noxious gases.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
In a remarkable act of bravery, a passerby, alarmed by their screams for help, jumped into the tank to assist. Tragically, he too fell victim to the poisonous fumes.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
By the time fire and rescue personnel arrived, all four individuals were unconscious. The three workers were declared dead on arrival at the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital. The passerby, initially admitted to the ICU, succumbed shortly after.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
According to locals, none of the workers were equipped with safety gear or oxygen support, a glaring violation of basic safety protocols. “They were sent in without protection,” a villager lamented.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident. “Forensic tests and post-mortem reports will determine the exact cause of death and identify the gases involved,” a police official said.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
This tragic event sheds light on a larger, systemic issue: the ongoing use of manual labour for dangerous sanitation work. Despite national efforts to end such practices, including the NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) initiative launched in 2023-24, fatal accidents continue.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
Government data highlights the gravity of the situation. A recent national survey found 79,700 people still employed as sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) in India. In a 2023 parliamentary statement, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale revealed that 453 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks since 2018.
Passerby jumps to save 3 workers
As India grapples with mechanising sanitation work to protect its workers, the tragedy in Nabarangpur serves as a stark and sorrowful reminder: the price of neglecting safety can be fatal not just for those assigned the task, but even for those who dare to help.
