Four workers died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a septic tank at a jewellery manufacturing unit in Surat, Gujarat, on Sunday, according to police. Initial probes indicate that required safety measures were ignored during the task.
The event occurred in the Ashwini Kumar locality. The tank collects waste from the jewellery cleaning process and undergoes maintenance every two months.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar stated that a supervisor and three labourers went inside the tank on Sunday morning. They collapsed shortly afterward from poisonous gas in the enclosed area.
Asphyxiation is suspected as the cause of death, though this will be verified through postmortem reports, the officer added.
Police noted that the supervisor had alerted the fire department beforehand. However, none of the workers wore proper safety equipment during the work.
Fire personnel arrived after the alert, rescued the men, and took them to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.
An inquiry is underway to check if negligence played a role. Officials will review CCTV recordings and other evidence to see if safety rules were followed and to identify any responsible parties.
A case of accidental death has been registered. Investigators will compare required safety standards with those actually used before assigning blame, the deputy commissioner said.
The case has renewed attention on risks in hazardous cleaning jobs and the dangers of entering tight spaces without adequate protection. Further steps depend on investigation results and autopsy findings.
