Four die after inhaling toxic gas in Assam water tank

Four people, including three workers, died after allegedly inhaling toxic gases inside an underground water tank at an under-construction building in Assam's Cachar district. Police detained the building owner and launched an investigation into the fatal incident

Silchar (Assam): Four persons, including three workers, died after allegedly inhaling toxic gases inside an underground water tank at an under-construction building in Assam’s Cachar district, police said on Saturday.

The owner of the building has been detained in connection with the incident, they said. The incident happened on Friday in the Kumarpara area of Jaynagar when workers were engaged to clean the underground water tank. Police said one worker first entered the tank but did not return. Two other workers then climbed down to check on him, but they too failed to come out.

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A local subsequently entered the tank in an attempt to rescue them but also lost consciousness inside, police said. Locals managed to pull all four out of the tank and alerted the police. They were rushed to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

The deceased were identified as Nilo Paul, Nandan Paul, Debasish Paul and Champu Paul, all residents of Kumarpara. Preliminary investigation suggests that the victims died after inhaling toxic gases that had accumulated inside the underground tank, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.