6 killed after entering under-construction septic tank in Odisha village

BHUBANESWAR: At least six persons died due to suspected asphyxiation inside an under-construction septic tank in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Tuesday, police said.

The incident took place at Gaud Karlakhunta village under the Madanpur Rampur police station area when the victims were engaged in construction-related work and reportedly entered the septic tank to remove centring materials.

Police suspect the workers inhaled toxic gases inside the confined structure, leading to the tragedy. One more person reportedly fell ill during the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Officials said the victims collapsed inside the tank one after another, triggering panic at the construction site. Local residents and police personnel later launched a rescue operation and recovered the bodies.

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of the deceased.

“On learning about the tragic accident at a construction site in Madanpur-Rampur, Kalahandi district, which claimed the lives of six people, the chief minister has expressed deep grief and condolences to the families of the deceased,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement posted on X.

(With agency inputs)