Man dies in sewage tank in Noida while rescuing co-worker; both suffocate

A security guard and a sanitation worker have died after being suffocated inside a sewage treatment plant at a residential society in Noida, police confirmed on Sunday. The incident occurred late Saturday night at Eldeco Society in Sector 150.

The deceased have been identified as Shashikant Sharma (40), a sanitation worker from Rajasthan's Karauli district, and Akash (22), a security guard from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, four individuals have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Ravi Shankar Nim stated, “On Sunday, we received information that two people had died during the cleaning of a sewer tank. Police personnel and the fire brigade team reached the spot and took them to Kailash Hospital. During treatment, they were declared dead. We have registered an FIR based on the complaint by the victims' families and have detained four people for questioning.”

Initial reports suggest that the sanitation worker entered the tank for cleaning and lost consciousness due to toxic gases. The security guard attempted to rescue him but also succumbed. Rescue teams were called, but both men were found unresponsive.

This tragedy underscores the persistent risks faced by sanitation workers in India, despite legal safeguards such as the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. Manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks often leads to fatal accidents due to lack of safety equipment and training.

Authorities are investigating whether proper safety protocols were followed at the residential society. The detained individuals include officials from the society's management. Further legal action will be taken based on the investigation.