YEYPORE: wo workers reportedly died of asphyxiation while cleaning a newly-constructed septic tank at Chandili under Kotpad block in Koraput district on Wednesday evening.
The deceased were identified as Hemant Thakur (40), a native of Dhanpunji in Chhattisgarh, and Harun Pratyasha (40) of Manchahandi village under Murtahandi panchayat in Kotpad. Another worker, Padmanath Baghel (37), also from Dhanpunji in Chhattisgarh, was pulled out of the tank in a critical condition and has been hospitalised.
Sources said the mishap took place at the residence of an elderly woman, identified as Kaushalya, where a septic tank had recently been constructed. The three workers entered the tank for work and reportedly fell unconscious after inhaling toxic gases inside the confined space.
Police said a case has been registered against the house owner under sections 290 and 106(1) of the BNS for negligence. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the circumstances leading to the deaths.