Septic Tank Tragedy in Maharashtra's Uran Area: Two Workers Die of Suffocation, Property Owner and Contractor Booked

A tragic accident claimed the lives of two workers in Sonari village, Uran, Maharashtra on Monday afternoon. Vikas Tak, 33, a septic tank cleaning vehicle driver, and Chandan Jaiswal, 23, a manual scavenger, died of suffocation after falling into a septic tank while on duty.

The duo, both originally from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Panvel, had been contracted to clean a septic tank at the property of Kashinath Tandel.

According to police, Jaiswal entered the septic tank to clear leftover waste after most of the cleaning work was completed. Shortly after, he complained of suffocation. Tak attempted to pull him out but lost his balance, and both men fell into the tank.

Villagers immediately rushed them to the Indira Gandhi Rural Hospital in Uran.

However, doctors declared both men dead on arrival. Dr. Babaso Kalel, the hospital's medical superintendent, confirmed suffocation as the cause of death.

The Nhava Sheva police have booked property owner Kashinath Tandel, cleaning contractor Vishal Munjale, and vehicle owner Amol Khutale for negligence under relevant sections of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and other applicable laws.

Police have summons the accused have been and further investigations are underway.​