In a tragic incident on Friday, two laborers, Rajesh (36) and Rinku (34), died from suspected toxic gas inhalation while cleaning a newly constructed septic tank in Nabipanah village, located in Lucknow district, India. The septic tank had never been used before, and the workers entered it sequentially, with Rajesh losing consciousness almost immediately. Rinku followed and collapsed shortly thereafter. Locals alerted authorities when the men did not emerge, and they were later transported to the Community Health Centre in Mal, where they were declared dead.

Preliminary police findings suggest that poisonous gases trapped inside the tank caused the fatalities. Alarmingly, neither worker was equipped with basic protective gear such as masks or oxygen support. This incident raises serious questions about adherence to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without safety equipment.

Despite regulations, there have been at least 11 reported deaths in similar incidents in Lucknow from 2016 to 2024, indicating a persistent reliance on unsafe sanitation practices. Jalkal general manager Kuldeep Singh emphasized the need for mechanized cleaning methods and proper safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment and gas detection devices during such operations.