Tamil Nadu: Three labourers died of suffocation while cleaning a sewer; relatives refused to accept the bodies.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Three workers died of suffocation while cleaning the ballast tank inside a barge at the old port in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district on Wednesday. Investigators say the three died after inhaling toxic gas that had accumulated in the vessel's undercarriage.

The workers were identified as Sandeep Kumar from Rajasthan, Jenison Thomas from Punnakayal in Thoothukudi district, and Siron George from Uvari in Tirunelveli district. The barge, owned by Mukta Infra, had reportedly stopped at the old port to load construction material for supply to Sri Lanka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Workers died due to poisonous gas in the tank

Officials said that toxic gas had accumulated in the tank due to stagnant water. Although the opening had been opened to allow the gases to dissipate, it is believed that the three men entered without taking proper precautions. Investigators have confirmed that the workers were not provided with any safety equipment before being assigned to the job.

Workers went inside without wearing safety equipment

A police officer told NDTV that the workers were not wearing any safety equipment, nor were they provided with any. "We are investigating. The first person who went in went silent, then a second person went in for him, and when he was no longer heard, a third person went in looking for him. All of them died."

The bodies of the deceased have been sent to the Thoothukudi Government Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Police teams led by Central Police Station Deputy Superintendent Madan have launched an investigation, although no arrests have been made yet.

The incident angered the villagers.

The incident has sparked outrage among fishing villages in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts. Representatives from Punnakayal, Alandalai, Manappadu, and Uvari have submitted a petition to the District Superintendent of Police, demanding that the barge owner, captain, and those responsible be charged with murder and immediately arrested.

The family refused to take the body

The families of the victims have refused to accept the bodies and are demanding compensation of ₹4 crore each, totaling ₹12 crore. They accused the company of gross negligence in providing safety equipment. The villagers also demanded that the barge not be allowed to leave Thoothukudi port until compensation is paid and arrests are made.

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