4 Killed After Inhaling Fumes in Septic Tank

Four workers died by inhaling toxic fumes after they entered a 10-foot deep septic tank underneath a jewelry factory in Rajasthan's Jaipur to try and retrieve gold and silver particles from the sludge, police said on Tuesday.

- Senjuti Sengupta

JAIPUR:

The incident took place on Monday night in Sitapura Industrial area of Jaipur when eight workers were employed to recover gold and silver particles lost during the washing of jewelry from the toxic sludge. The workers were initially reluctant to undertake the work because of the toxic fumes, but agreed to do it after they were offered extra money, police said.

"The workers initially refused to do the work because of the hot weather that may cause buildup toxic gas in the tank," Sanganer police station house officer (SHO) Anil Jaimani said. "Vikas Mehta, the CEO of the company that owns the factory, and director Arun Kothari convinced the workers to go into the tank by offering them extra money."