Septic tank deaths: Odisha CM announces compensation for victims’ kin

Bhubaneswar: Expressing deep shock and grief over the tragic death of five persons due to asphyxiation inside a septic tank in Rayagada, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia grant each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives.

Earlier in the day, five persons died and another became critically ill after falling into an under-construction septic tank at Durgipaika Sahi under Bissamcuttack block of Rayagada district.

According to reports, a labourer slipped and fell into an under-construction septic tank belonging to a person while attempting to fetch water from it. Seeing him inside the tank, four other persons rushed to the spot and tried to rescue him from the tank, but they too met the same fate.

All the victims were rushed to Christian Hospital in Bissamcuttack. However, they were declared dead on arrival by the doctors.