Sambalpur (Odisha), March 31 At least two people died from asphyxiation, and two others fell ill inside a newly constructed septic tank in Sambalpur district, Odisha, on Tuesday, police said.
The incident occurred in the Kesaibahal village, within the Mahulpali police station area.
The deceased have been identified as Susil Naik (40) and Bhikari Charan Behera (42), both residents of the village.
Two others, identified as Hemant Behera (48) and Anand Majhi (39), fell ill and are currently receiving treatment at the Kuchinda sub-divisional hospital.
Police said that four workers entered the newly built septic tank to dismantle the supporting structure. However, during the process, Naik began experiencing difficulty breathing. All four felt a lack of oxygen in the tank and lost consciousness.
Fire service personnel later rescued the four people and took them to the nearby hospital, where Naik and Bhikari Charan Behera were pronounced dead.
Hospital sources said that the health condition of the two ill individuals is stable.