Four members of a family were killed after inhaling toxic gases inside a septic tank at their residence in Mohanpur in West Midnapore district of West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
None of them returned. “All four bodies were recovered by the villagers in an unconscious state. Another relative of the family, Sheikh Abu Kalam, who also fell ill while retrieving the bodies, was taken to the hospital.
Police officers said that Badir Mallick, a 45-year-old mason, had constructed the septic tank at his sister’s house a few months ago. Mallick’s sister, Najera Bibi (38), who was standing nearby, climbed down to rescue him. Later, Najera’s son, Sheikh Rabiul (25), and her nephew, Sheik Soyeb (27), also climbed down to help.
They were rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared them dead on arrival,” an officer from the Mohanpur police station said. Police said his condition was stable, according to doctors. Mallick fell into the tank on Tuesday afternoon after a wooden plank, which was being used as a cover, gave way.
“We have registered a case of unnatural death.
The bodies have been sent for autopsy,” an officer said.
“First one man fell while trying to check the septic tank. Later the others fell while trying to rescue him. Even I tried to climb down but started feeling dizzy.
I was rescued and brought to the hospital,” Kalam said.
