1 Dead, 3 Critical After Falling Into Sewer In Delhi's Ashok Vihar: Police
A 40-year-old man died and three others were hospitalised in critical condition after losing consciousness while cleaning a sewer in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar, an official said on Wednesday.
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The individuals were performing sewer cleaning operations when the tragedy occurred. (Representational)
New Delhi:
A tragic incident in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar resulted in the death of a 40-year-old man and left three others in critical condition after they lost consciousness while cleaning a sewer, officials reported on Wednesday.
The accident took place around 11:30 pm near Harihar Apartments in Ashok Vihar Phase-II. Police reports indicate that the workers were engaged in sewer maintenance when one worker fell inside, prompting others to attempt a rescue, only to fall in themselves.
Eyewitnesses at the scene quickly responded to the emergency, entered the sewer, and successfully extracted the victims, according to a source.
"We don't know the identity of the individual who stopped his motorcycle, assisted in the rescue, and then departed," mentioned one co-worker.
"The deceased has been identified as Arvind, from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh. He was transported to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The other three victims—Sonu and Narayan, also from Kasganj, and Naresh from Bihar—have been admitted to the ICU in a drowsy condition. Their situation remains serious," stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) Bhisham Singh.
Narayan, a co-worker of the victims, described the incident: "We had installed a pump because the sewer was overflowing. One worker descended but slipped and fell. A second person went to rescue him but also fell. Then a third person went down and fell as well. A passerby helped us secure a rope and managed to pull them out before leaving on his motorcycle. This happened around 11:00 or 11:30 pm." Narayan claimed that the company provided no safety equipment for this operation. "We typically receive gas masks and protective equipment, but received nothing this time," he added.
Surendar Yadav, a fellow villager and friend of the deceased, confirmed that they normally receive masks, oxygen cylinders, and other safety gear.
"The company contacted them offering approximately 1,000 to 1,500 rupees for cleaning the drain. The laborers accepted the job hoping to earn extra money, but no safety protocols were implemented," he stated.
He also alleged that the company previously contracted the work through another agency, but after that arrangement ended, they began hiring workers directly. "These men had been working there since the previous night," he noted.
Police reported that the workers were employed by a construction company that has been conducting sewer operations in the area for several days. A crime investigation team has examined the site, and the company manager has been called for questioning.
"Based on initial investigations, authorities have registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence), 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 337, along with sections 7 and 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013," the DCP concluded.