Rayagada: At least five labourers including a woman died of asphyxiation and another turned critical after getting trapped inside an under-construction septic tank in Durgi village under Bissam Cuttack block in the district on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Rashmita Ulaka, Bairagi Kalka, Surya Narayan Patro, Bansidhar Patro and Purna Takiri.
The mishap took place in the noon while the centring removal work of an under-construction latrine of one M. Laxmanmurthy of Paikasahi in the village was underway.
Eyewitnesses informed, Rashmita first entered into the tank to remove centring and suffered suffocation. After she didn’t come out for long time, the victims entered into the tank one after the other to rescue here and died of asphyxiation.
Police reached the spot and rescued the bodies of the victims from the tank after getting intimation on the mishap later.
One of the labourers identified as Kartik Gouda was found in a critical condition and was rushed to Bissam Cuttack Christian Hospital for treatment.
Police have started investigation into the incident.
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Ms Kalinga