Daijiworld Media Network - Surat
Surat, Jun 7: A tragic industrial accident claimed the lives of four workers at a jewellery manufacturing facility in Surat on Sunday after they were allegedly exposed to toxic fumes while carrying out maintenance work inside an underground effluent treatment tank. Initial findings suggest that critical safety measures may have been overlooked during the operation.
The incident took place at a jewellery cleaning unit located in the Ashwini Kumar area of the city. The factory uses an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) to process and dispose of waste generated during the jewellery cleaning process. Authorities said the tank is periodically cleaned as part of routine maintenance.
According to police officials, three workers and a supervisor entered the underground tank on Sunday morning to perform the scheduled cleaning. During the operation, they reportedly inhaled poisonous gases and lost consciousness inside the confined space.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Alok Kumar stated that all four individuals succumbed at the scene. While preliminary assessments indicate suffocation caused by toxic gas exposure, the exact cause of death will be confirmed following post-mortem examinations.
Emergency responders were alerted at around 10:22 a.m. after a distress call was made to Surat Fire and Emergency Services. Fire officials initially believed that only one person had fallen into the tank. However, upon arriving at the site, rescue teams discovered four individuals trapped inside the industrial treatment facility.
A rescue operation was immediately launched, and all four victims were pulled from the tank and rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors, however, declared them dead on arrival.
Investigators are now examining whether mandatory safety procedures for confined-space work were ignored. Preliminary inquiries indicate that the workers may not have been provided with essential protective equipment, including respiratory safety gear, before entering the hazardous environment.
Police have registered a case of accidental death and initiated a detailed investigation to determine whether negligence contributed to the incident. Authorities will review CCTV footage, maintenance records, and other evidence to assess whether required safety protocols were in place and properly implemented.
Officials said accountability will be determined after the investigation is completed and post-mortem reports are received. The probe will focus on identifying lapses in safety compliance and establishing responsibility for the fatal accident.