Sewer Deaths: Three laborers die cleaning sewer in Noida
What's the story
Three sewer workers died of suffocation while cleaning a narrow sewerage line without any safety gear in Noida; they were employed by a private contractor. A rescue team dug a parallel channel to the narrow sewer to reach the men after three hours; district hospital doctors declared them brought dead. Sewer deaths in Delhi-NCR have risen to 15 since July. Know more!
Details
Contractor didn't provide masks, safety gear to the cleaners
The men were identified as 24-year-old Vikas, 25-year-old Ravindra, and 28-year-old Rajesh. While cleaning the blocked sewer, one of the workers choked on toxic gas and fell into the pit; the second cleaner got trapped when he went to rescue the first one. The third worker then entered the sewer line but also got trapped. They were trapped inside for over three hours.
Noida Authority
Rs. 10L ex gratia to victims' families
Noida Phase-II Police Station Officer, Shahwez Khan, said the three laborers were hired by Noida Authority private contractor, Somveer, who is absconding. District Magistrate BN Singh asked Noida Authority to start an inquiry. Chairperson and CEO of Noida Authority, Alok Tandon, announced an ex gratia of Rs. 10L to the families of the three laborers, who hailed from Jharkhand.
Information
Tandon orders probe by special duty officer
Alok Tandon said special duty officer Rajesh Kumar Singh would conduct a probe into the matter. He added, "He (Singh) has been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report within a week." Deputy Labor Commissioner would also carry out an investigation.