Four people, including a woman and her son, died after falling into a septic tank at Antla village in Mohanpur, West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, on Wednesday, while another man remains hospitalised. Police have started an investigation into the incident and suspect that toxic gas accumulated inside the covered tank caused the deaths.
According to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Bengal, the incident occurred while Badi Mallik was working on a newly constructed septic tank at his sister Sarjina Bibi’s house. Mallik reportedly fell into the deep tank during the work and became unconscious after entering the enclosed space.
Sarjina Bibi entered the tank while attempting to rescue her brother, but she too fell inside. Her son, Sheikh Rabiu, then climbed into the tank to save his mother. He also lost consciousness, reportedly after being exposed to the gas inside the tank.
A local relative, Sheikh Saheb, went into the tank during the rescue attempt and was also overcome. Another local resident, Sheikh Abukalam, subsequently entered the tank but could not come out. The report said that five people were eventually brought out of the septic tank by villagers, who used cloth to cover their faces while attempting the rescue.
The five men and women were taken to a local hospital. Doctors declared Badi Mallik, Sarjina Bibi, Sheikh Rabiu and Sheikh Saheb dead. Sheikh Abukalam was admitted for treatment in serious condition, according to the report.
The sequence highlights the risks posed by entering enclosed sanitation structures without specialised rescue equipment or respiratory protection. Septic tanks and other confined spaces can contain dangerous gases, particularly when they remain sealed or poorly ventilated. In this case, the report said the tank had remained covered for a long period, allowing toxic gas to accumulate.
Mohanpur police reached the site after villagers raised an alarm and the rescue operation began. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations. Police are investigating the circumstances of the falls and the deaths, while the suspected role of accumulated toxic gas is expected to be examined through the post-mortem and related inquiry.
The immediate next steps are the completion of the post-mortem examinations and the continuation of the Mohanpur police investigation. Sheikh Abukalam remains under treatment at the local hospital.
