AYAGADA — In a heartbreaking incident that underscores the continuing dangers faced by sanitation workers, three men died of suspected asphyxiation on Wednesday after stepping into a newly constructed septic tank in Odisha’s Rayagada district.

The incident took place in Tarapaguda village, located within the Padmapur police station limits. The deceased have been identified as Harishchandra Bir (46), Prakash Lima (47), and Alok Karad (45), all residents of neighboring Jibajagatpur village near Kenduguda. According to officials, two of the victims worked as local masons while the third was a daily-wage laborer.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

According to police sources and local eyewitnesses, the trio had been hired to clear out and clean the domestic septic tank of a residential house.

The hazard escalated rapidly inside the enclosed space. One worker entered the subterranean tank first. When he collapsed within moments due to toxic gas exposure and lack of oxygen, the other two stepped inside one after the other in a frantic attempt to rescue him. Overwhelmed by the dense buildup of poisonous gases, all three men lost consciousness inside.

Rescue Operations and Outrage

Distressed family members and onlookers immediately alerted the authorities. A specialized rescue unit from the Padmapur Fire Station rushed to the site and extricated the men from the chamber.

The workers were transported to the Padmapur Community Health Centre, where attending medical officers pronounced them dead on arrival.

The sudden loss sent shockwaves through the region, sparking grief and anger among community members. Padmapur MLA Satyajit Gamang visited the spot and the health centre to review the situation and meet with the aggrieved families.

Police Investigation Initiated

Local police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the rescue efforts to secure the site and initiate a preliminary inquiry.

"Prima facie, all three individuals appear to have died of asphyxiation after entering the enclosed septic tank," said B.D. Pradhan, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) at Padmapur Police Station. "The bodies have been preserved for post-mortem examination. Further legal procedures and investigative steps will follow based on the formal medical reports and circumstances surrounding the incident."

Recurring Danger

The incident highlights a recurring safety failure in the region. Earlier this year in May, six individuals—including three masons, a laborer, a house owner, and his son—lost their lives under similar circumstances while removing shuttering from an under-construction septic tank in Kalahandi district.