Three Laborers Die After Inhaling Poisonous Gas in Abandoned Salt Well

Three laborers in Rajasthan's Phalodi district died after inhaling poisonous gas while digging an abandoned salt well. The well had been abandoned for a long time and the laborers were engaged by the landowner to recharge it.

Jodhpur, Oct 15: Three laborers digging in an abandoned salt well died allegedly after inhaling poisonous gas in the Baap tehsil of Rajasthan's Phalodi district on Sunday, police said. The well had been abandoned for a long time and the laborers were engaged by the landowner to recharge it, they said.

Lack of Experience

The labourers -- Lakshman Bawari 23, his brother Ravidas Bawari 21 and their brother-in-law Tilokaram 30 -- had limited experience in the work they had been tasked with, the police said. Their bodies have been set for post-mortem, Superintendent of Police Hanuman Prasad Meena said.

Salt Well

The well belonged to Shyam Sunder Sain, who owns a salt production unit in Baap. The salt well had been lying abandoned for a long time. He engaged the victims to clean and dig the well to recharge it for salt production, the police said. A salt or brine well is used to mine salt from caverns or deposits.

Rescue Efforts

According to the police, Lakshman Bawari and Tilokaram entered the well first around 10 am. As they began digging, a toxic gas was released that choked the pair. When they cried out for help, Ravidas Bawari entered the well but he was also asphyxiated. All three died in the well. We rushed to the spot but they could not be brought out alive, said an official of the local administration.

No Case Registered

However, no case has been registered against landowner Sain. The victims' family members have not yet lodged any complaint in this connection, Superintendent of Police Meena said.

The incident highlights the need for proper safety measures to be taken when working in confined spaces, such as abandoned salt wells. It is also important for employers to ensure that their workers have the necessary training and experience to carry out their tasks safely.