5 trapped inside septic tank; die of asphyxiation

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Rayagada: In an appalling incident, five persons, including a woman, died due to asphyxiation after getting trapped inside an under-constriction septic tank full of sewage Sunday morning.
The bone-chilling incident has been reported from Paikasahi of Durgi village under Bissamcuttack police limits in Rayagada district Sunday. Sources said, the incident occurred during the construction of a new septic tank.
The deceased woman has been identified as Rashmita Urlaka, while the four other have been identified as two brothers – Surya Narayan Patra and Bansidhar Patra, Purna Takiri (a mason) and a labourer Bairagi Kalaka. Another labourer, identified as Kartika Gouda, fell critically ill and is now battling for life.
According to sources, the incident occurred at around 9 AM when the woman, Purna and Bairagi were engaged in the construction work of the septic tank. Meanwhile, Rashmita went inside the septic tank for some workand got stuck. In bid to save her, Bairagi went inside the septic tank but also got stuck followed by Purna.
Later, Suryanarayan, Bansidhar and Karthik, who were playing a volley ball match, rushed to the spot and entered the septic tank one by one. However, all got stuck inside it. They soon fell unconscious as the septic tank was filled with toxic gases and devoid of oxygen.
Hearing their muffled screams for help, locals gathered but stood as spectators since they feared they might also get trapped.
A JCB machine was called later to dig out the septic tank after which all the six persons were rescued in asphyxiated condition and rushed them to Christian Hospital in a critical condition.
However, five of them died one after another while undergoing treatment and the condition of Karthik was stated to be critical at the time of filing of this report.
“The woman worker got trapped while cleaning the septic tank. In bid to save her, other workers entered the trench and fell unconscious. The condition of the sixth person is still critical,” said Inspector-in-charge of Bissamcuttack, Chaturbhuja Nayak.
Bissamcuttack MLA Jagannath Sarka and other officials visited the hospital after learning of the incident. The bodies were seized and sent for autopsy while Karthik was put in the ICU.
Meanwhile, excpressing grief over the deaths of five people, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the incident as ‘unfortunate’. He has announced an ex-gratia of `2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and free treatment for Karthik Gouda.