4 die while cleaning ETP tank in Surat firm

At least four people died after getting trapped inside an underground tank chamber of an effluent treatment plant (ETP) at a Surat firm on Sunday.

Preliminary investigation suggests that three labourers and a supervisor suffocated after being exposed to toxic gases accumulated inside the tank.

According to officials, the incident occurred at the premises of Rati House (Rati Jewellers), located near Choryasi Dairy in the Khand Bazar area.

The fire brigade rescue team rushed to the spot after Surat Fire Control Room received an emergency call at around 10.22 am, reporting that people were trapped inside.

Firefighters equipped with oxygen kits and rescue equipment entered the tank and pulled out all four workers after a rescue operation.

The workers were immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared all four dead on arrival, officials said.

Senior officials from the local administration and police reached the spot following the incident.

Police have registered a case of accidental death and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.