Toxic Gas Leak in Sugar Mill Tank Kills Three Workers

A tragic accident at the water treatment plant of Barkatpur Sugar Mill claimed the lives of three workers after they inhaled toxic gas while performing maintenance work inside a storage tank. The incident occurred when the workers entered the tank to clean it and open a blocked pipe valve.

 

The victims have been identified as Karan Deva, a resident of Paiga Khamaria; Shambhunath, from Barkatpur; and Mukesh, from Bilaspur. According to eyewitnesses, the accident unfolded when one of the workers, Shambhunath, entered the tank and was quickly overcome by the toxic fumes. Seeing this, Karan Deva went in to rescue him but also fell unconscious. Mukesh then entered the tank in a further rescue attempt, only to meet the same fate.

 

Mill staff and nearby workers rushed to provide assistance, pulling all three out of the tank. They were transported to a local hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival. The nature of the toxic gas is yet to be confirmed, but preliminary reports suggest it may have been a byproduct of chemical residue inside the tank.

 

Following the incident, senior administrative officials, including SDM Lala Singh and CO Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, visited the site to supervise investigation efforts. Authorities have ordered a detailed inquiry into safety lapses at the mill, including whether adequate safety equipment and protocols were in place for confined space work.

 

Local residents and labor unions have expressed concern over the lack of safety measures in industrial units, demanding stricter enforcement of occupational safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.