A tragic incident occurred at an ethanol manufacturing unit near Gummidipoondi in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district, resulting in the death of a migrant worker and leaving four others critically ill. The workers were exposed to toxic gas inside a water tank at a private factory in Thervoy Kandigai village while cleaning the storage tank as part of routine maintenance work. The workers entered the confined space without proper protection, causing them to inhale hazardous fumes.
Emergency services were promptly notified, and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services department arrived at the scene with safety gear. Despite challenging conditions, the rescue team successfully retrieved all five workers from the tank. Unfortunately, one worker, Dhananjay Mali from Odisha, lost his life due to prolonged exposure to toxic gases. The other four affected workers were rushed to Tiruvallur Government Hospital, where they are receiving intensive treatment and remain in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident may have been triggered by the accumulation of toxic gases in the tank, possibly stemming from fermentation residues or inadequate ventilation. Authorities are scrutinizing whether safety protocols, such as protective gear and gas detection measures, were adhered to before allowing workers into the confined space. The Labour Department and local police have launched an inquiry into the incident, with potential actions pending based on the investigation’s outcome, including addressing any negligence or breaches of industrial safety regulations. This tragic event underscores the pressing need to uphold workplace safety standards, especially in industrial settings involving hazardous environments and migrant laborers.
