Three labourers were killed after they fell into a septic tank at Ekta Nagar in Kandivali (W) on Thursday. According to the BMC, all three were employed by a private contractor. Fire brigade officers and locals rescued and rushed them to the Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, but the trio was declared dead.
“The incident took place around 1.30 pm on Thursday. The three fell into the septic tank while cleaning it. Two of them were pulled out by locals before we reached the spot. Our team pulled out the third person and they were rushed to the Shatabdi Hospital but were declared dead,” said Hemant Parab, chief fire officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade. He added that the BMC and the police will conduct an inquiry into the matter.
Former BJP corporator from Ekta Nagar, Kamlesh Yadav said the BMC had constructed toilets in Ekta Nagar six months ago and a private operator was managing them. “In the last few days, the toilets were stinking. Therefore, a private contractor was summoned to clean the septic tank. The three labourers were cleaning it from outside the tank. Initially, one of them fell in. The other two fell in as they tried to pull him out,” Yadav said.
Yadav said the BMC has made it compulsory for all construction workers to wear safety harnesses. “The BMC should also make the wearing of safety harnesses mandatory for workers cleaning nullahs, wells, septic tanks. If any worker dies during the cleaning work, the contractor should be made to compensate the family," he said.
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When contacted, the BMC ward officials said the incident was unfortunate and the civic body will take appropriate action. “The BMC will take necessary action against the people who maintain these toilets. We have also issued directives to other stakeholders who maintain toilets in the ward to use machines for cleaning septic tanks, not contract workers,” said assistant municipal commissioner Sandhya Nandedkar.
