Pune: Toxic Gas Leak Suspected as 3 Workers Die Cleaning Septic Tank Near Jejuri
Jejuri, 27th April 2026: In a tragic incident highlighting industrial safety lapses, three workers died of suspected suffocation after inhaling toxic gases inside an underground septic tank at a mushroom processing unit in Belsar village near Jejuri on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Pintu Rajesh Prasad (23), Vyas Soham Kumar (22), and Gautam Ramsharan Kushwaha (36), all migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh employed at the facility.
According to police, the incident occurred during the routine cleaning of a wastewater tank that had not been serviced for a long time. One worker first entered the confined space and soon began to suffocate due to the presence of toxic gases. In an attempt to rescue him, two co-workers entered the tank one after another, but they too were overcome by the fumes and collapsed inside.
Co-workers at the site later raised an alarm. Rescue efforts were carried out by breaking open part of the tank structure and pulling the three men out. They were immediately rushed to a nearby rural hospital, where doctors declared them dead before treatment.
Preliminary inquiry indicates that the accumulation of hazardous gases inside the tank, likely due to decomposed waste from the mushroom unit, led to the fatal incident. The case has once again drawn attention to the lack of basic safety protocols, such as gas detection systems, proper ventilation, and protective gear, while handling confined spaces.
Police at Jejuri have registered an accidental death case and initiated an investigation to ascertain responsibility, including whether mandatory safety measures were ignored by the company. Further action will be taken based on the findings.
