Vaishali, Mar 2: Four members of a family died and three others were critically injured after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank in Bihar’s Vaishali district, officials said on Sunday.
The incident occurred in Anwarpur village under the Sarai police station area at the residence of Shivji Sah. According to preliminary information, the family was cleaning a nearly 10-year-old septic tank, about 15 feet deep, when the tragedy unfolded.
Priyanshu, 18, was the first to enter the tank but stopped responding after about 15 minutes, relatives said. His father, Anand Kumar, 46, then climbed down to rescue him but also failed to return. Anand’s brothers, Pankaj Kumar and Rahul Kumar, subsequently entered the tank in succession in an attempt to save them.
Three villagers also went in during the rescue attempt, leaving seven people unconscious due to suspected toxic fumes.
All seven were pulled out using ropes after police and fire brigade teams reached the spot. Doctors later declared Anand Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Priyanshu dead at a nearby hospital. The remaining three are undergoing treatment and are reported to be in critical condition.
Officials said the deaths were likely caused by oxygen depletion due to the accumulation of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or methane inside the enclosed space.
Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination and further legal proceedings are underway.
Senior administrative officials, including Rambabu Baitha, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Hajipur-Sadar, and Gopal Mandal, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Lalganj, visited the site and assessed the situation. The administration has assured compensation to the bereaved family as per government provisions.
The incident has plunged the village into mourning. Rahul Kumar had been married on Feb. 24, and villagers described the sight of four bodies being carried out together as “deeply distressing”.
Experts have long warned about the dangers of cleaning septic tanks and soak pits without proper ventilation and protective equipment, noting that toxic gas accumulation in confined spaces can cause instant unconsciousness and death.
