Three dead in Tamil Nadu after inhaling toxic fumes in septic tank
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Cuddalore: Three people died in a newly constructed Septic tank near a Srimushnam village of Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore. They inhaled toxic fumes while doing patch-up work.
Krishnamoorthy (40), Balachandran (32), and Shakthivel (22) died on Saturday evening. Krishnamoorthy was the owner of the house and the other two were his relatives. The bodies have been sent for an autopsy and further investigation will be conducted.
"Krishnamoorthy owned the new house for which a new septic tank was being built. The other two were relatives of Krishnamoorthy and all 3 entered the tank yesterday and did a few patch-up works. Unfortunately, toxic fumes killed them," said the police. A case has been registered under section 174.
On Friday, five sanitation workers died in Maharashtra while cleaning a septic tank. Another worker who was accompanying them is in serious condition and receiving treatment in a hospital in Parbhani district.
"Six labourers entered the septic tank located in a farm on Thursday afternoon. While cleaning the tank, they started feeling suffocated and fell unwell. All of them were rushed to a nearby hospital, where five of the workers were declared dead on arrival," said an official.
A case of accidental death was registered at the Sonpeth police station and an investigation is underway.
According to a report by the government in July 2022, 188 people have died under similar circumstances since 2019. Septic tanks produce toxic fumes like hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Industrial solvents can also become airborne and cause health issues to people cleaning the tank.