Two workers die after entering water tank at under-construction building in Narayanganj

Two workers died of suffocation while working inside a water tank of an under-construction building in Fatullah of Narayanganj today, police said.

The incident took place around noon on Friday in Bholail Geddarbazar area under Kashipur union, said Mohammad Mahbub Alam, officer-in-charge of Fatullah Model Police Station.

The deceased were identified as Delowar Mridha, 35, son of Altaf Mridha of Baufal upazila in Patuakhali, and Md Rana, 22, son of Abdur Rahim of Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha.

Both lived in rented houses in Bholail area with their families. Delowar worked as a mason, while Rana was employed at a garment factory.

Police, quoting family members, said that since today is a holiday, Rana had joined Delowar at the construction site.

OC Mahbub Alam said Delowar and Rana were working at a building owned by a local resident, Shahabuddin. Around this noon, Rana entered the water tank and fell unconscious. Delowar went in to rescue him, but also became unconscious.

On information, fire service personnel rushed to the spot, rescued them from inside the tank and took them to Narayanganj 300-bed Hospital, where doctors declared them dead, said the OC.

Quoting locals, Abdul Halim, senior station officer of Fatullah Fire Station, said Rana entered the tank to fetch wood used in shuttering work on the second floor. When he fell unconscious, Delowar went in to pull him out.

“The construction of the tank was not fully complete. Such enclosed spaces often have low oxygen levels and can become toxic. We suspect they lost consciousness due to oxygen deficiency,” he said.

Dr Shahadat Hossain of the hospital’s emergency department told reporters that the two were brought in dead. “Initial observation suggests they died of suffocation caused by lack of oxygen,” he said.

OC Mahbub Alam further said legal action is underway in this regard.