West Bengal: Three die of asphyxiation in an under-construction water pump

Three men died apparently of asphyxiation after inhaling toxic gases when working inside an under-construction water pump on Friday, a police officer said.

The workers, from West Bengal, entered the pump in Pandara area under Mancheswar police station to remove its centring (temporary support structure for construction), police said.

"It seems the three labourers died of suffocation after inhaling toxic fumes inside the pump," the officer said.

The matter came to light when their fellow workers, who were away for a while, returned to the construction site and informed others, he said.

"They suspected that the trio must have got trapped inside the pump and informed the police. The co-workers then entered the pump with the help of police, but the three had collapsed by then," the officer said.

Police and fire brigade officials then took the labourers to a nearby hospital, where the doctors declared them brought dead.

"Efforts are on to locate the building owner and the contractor who had engaged the labourers at the construction site," the officer said, adding the bodies have been sent for autopsy.

Chief Fire Officer Sukanta Sethi said the workers had entered the pump without safety gears.

"Carelessness and lack of awareness led to the death of the three workers," he added.