Three workers died after being trapped inside an under-construction septic tank at Shantitole in Kohalpur Municipality-3, Banke, on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 9:00 AM while the workers were working inside the septic tank being built in the courtyard of a local resident, Dayaprasad Tharu’s, under-construction house.
Police said the workers are suspected to have suffocated due to toxic gas inside the tank.
Following the incident, police and locals launched rescue efforts. However, as it was difficult to enter the tank, the structure was broken open with the help of a JCB to pull out the workers. Police said all three had already died by the time they were brought out.
The deceased have been identified as around 40-year-old Kalu Tharu, 26-year-old Prakash Tharu, and 33-year-old Birja Tharu, all residents of Kohalpur Municipality-3.
Police said the bodies have been sent to Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, for post-mortem examination. Further investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the need for strict safety measures at construction sites, particularly while working inside confined spaces such as septic tanks.
