Four Workers Die from Toxic Gas in Chattogram Septic Tanks

Four workers died from inhaling toxic gas inside septic and water reserve tanks in two separate incidents in Chattogram on Friday.

The first tragedy occurred around 12:30 pm at an under-construction home in Jhikuti Para of Raozan upazila. Victim Pradeep Das entered a long-closed septic tank at his father-in-law's house and immediately lost consciousness due to accumulated gas. A second worker, Samiran Das, attempted to rescue him but also collapsed.

Raozan Upazila Fire Service personnel recovered the unconscious men and rushed them to a local hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Raozan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jasim Uddin confirmed the incident, noting the danger of entering unventilated tanks.

Just hours later at 2:00 pm, a similar accident claimed two more lives in the Dhaniala Para area under Doublemooring Police Station in Chattogram city. Workers Shakib and Hridoy Miah both originally from Noakhali, were cleaning a newly constructed water reserve tank near Zakir Mansion.

They were overcome by trapped toxic fumes and fell unconscious. Locals rescued them and transported them to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), but on-duty doctors pronounced them dead upon arrival. Doublemooring Police Station OC Md. Shahinur Alam stated that a police team inspected the scene and the bodies are currently being held at the CMCH morgue.

Authorities urge construction teams to ensure proper ventilation and safety checks before entering confined spaces to prevent such fatal accidents.