4 choke to death cleaning water tank at Mumbai building site

MUMBAI: Four migrant workers from West Bengal died of asphyxiation on Sunday after stepping into a basement water tank at an under-construction 40-plus-storey building in Nagpada. One worker was injured while attempting a rescue. The tank had been shut for two years, leading to accumulation of sludge and toxic gases due to past chemical treatments.

Workers at the site said it was common practice to step into water tanks without safety gear, but none of them was aware of the hazardous conditions inside this particular tank. “No safety kit was provided. They should have left the tank open for a while to let the gases escape,” said Bhutan Sheikh, who was injured.

At the time of going to press, police were in the process of registering four accidental death cases. An FIR may be lodged if police find negligence on the part of the builder. “We are questioning the labour contractor. We are summoning all individuals concerned ,” said a police officer.