4 die after entering septic tanks in separate incidents in Chattogram

Four people died in two separate incidents after entering septic tanks in Chattogram city and Raozan upazila today (26 June).

In Raozan, two relatives died while attempting to rescue a worker from a septic tank at a house under construction in Jhikuti Para under Noapara union.

The deceased were identified as Pradip Das, 38, of Kochukhain in Raozan and Samiran Das, 32, of Kodurkhil in neighbouring Boalkhali upazila. The two were cousins, according to family members.

Confirming the matter, Raozan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Harun told The Business Standard that the bodies had been handed over to their families without autopsies as no complaint had been filed.

“Preliminary findings suggest the incident was caused by toxic gas accumulated inside the septic tank,” the OC added.

According to police and locals, a worker was carrying out shuttering work inside the septic tank when he began to sink into the water. Pradip entered the tank to rescue him and managed to lift the worker to safety but became unconscious and collapsed inside the tank.

After the rescued worker informed others, Samiran entered the tank to rescue Pradip. Although he managed to bring Pradip out, he too lost consciousness, apparently after inhaling toxic gas, and fell into the water.

Fire Service personnel and local residents later recovered Samiran from the tank. Both of them were taken to hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

In a separate incident, two construction workers died after becoming trapped inside a septic tank while working at an under-construction multi-storey building in Dhaniyalapara under Double Mooring Police Station in Chattogram city.

The deceased were identified as Sakib, from Noakhali sadar upazila, and Hriday Mia, 25, from Char Elahi in Company’sganj upazila of Noakhali.

Double Mooring Police Station OC Shahinur Alam said the workers experienced breathing difficulties while working inside the septic tank at the construction site.

“They were recovered from the tank in an unconscious state and were later found dead. Fire Service personnel and police recovered the bodies and sent them to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for autopsy,” the OC added.