SILCHAR: Four people died of suspected asphyxiation while cleaning an underground water tank at a newly constructed house in Arunachal Kumarpara on the outskirts of Silchar on Saturday, in a tragedy that unfolded during a rescue attempt.The victims have been identified as Niloy Paul (43), Champu Paul (40), Debashis Paul (41), and Nandan Paul (53). Police detained Gautam Paul, the owner of the house.According to police, one of the workers first entered the tank to clean it but failed to return. Suspecting he was in distress, three others entered the confined space one after another in an attempt to rescue him. All four are believed to have lost consciousness due to toxic gases or oxygen depletion inside the tank.A local social activist later entered the tank at considerable personal risk and brought out the four bodies before emergency responders reached the spot.Police, along with personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation. The bodies were later sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.Cachar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rajat Kumar Pal said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination.“We are investigating the incident. The precise cause of death will be known after the post-mortem report is received,” Pal said.The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the locality and highlighted the dangers of entering confined spaces such as underground water tanks without proper safety equipment, ventilation and protective gear.
