Worker dies of asphyxiation inside underground concrete tank in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: A construction worker died after collapsing inside an underground concrete tank while removing wooden shuttering from the structure at a construction site at Mootoli around 11.30am on Wednesday. Deceased has been identified as Siraj, 42, of Puthukkudipoyil House at Palath.Vishwanathan, a resident of Chelannur who entered the under-construction tank in an attempt to rescue Siraj, was admitted to a private hospital in critical condition.The concrete tank is being constructed to store water for a two-storey building owned by Sajith, a resident of Morikkara.Siraj’s co-workers, Sunil Kumar, 52, of Komattu Poyil, Kuruvattur, and Majeed of Palath, were present at the site. The tank had only a small manhole large enough for one person to enter and had virtually no ventilation.Siraj climbed down into the tank using a temporary wooden ladder. Soon after entering, he experienced breathing difficulty. Noticing this, Kumar climbed down the ladder and tried to pull him out by holding his hand, but Siraj collapsed. Feeling unwell himself, Kumar alerted locals and informed fire and rescue services.Meanwhile, Vishwanathan, an employee of a nearby courier office, came to know about the incident. He rushed to the spot and climbed into the tank using the wooden ladder in an attempt to rescue Siraj, but he too developed breathing difficulty.By the time fire and rescue services arrived, Vishwanathan was showing signs of distress. Rescue personnel pulled him out, administered first aid and shifted him to a private hospital in the city.Siraj, who was found unconscious inside the tank, was also brought out and taken to Kakkodi family health centre, where doctors declared him dead.Chevayoor police said it is suspected that lack of fresh air inside the confined space caused the fatality.Also, workers had entered the tank without following any safety protocols. The tank, measuring about three metres in length and two metres in width, had been completely sealed leaving only a small manhole for access.Siraj leaves behind his wife Nasla.