TNI Bureau: Six persons, including a father-son duo, died of suffocation after entering an under-construction septic tank at Gauda Karlakhunta village under M Rampur police limits in Kalahandi district on Tuesday morning. Another worker was critically injured in the incident.

According to preliminary reports, house owner Nimai Pal accidentally fell into the tank while supervising construction work. In an attempt to rescue him, his son and other labourers entered the chamber one after another but collapsed due to toxic gas and lack of oxygen inside the septic tank.

The deceased were identified as Nimai Pal, his son Akash Pal, Adal Majhi, Manoranjan Hati, Chhanda Jal and Bipul Jal. Another worker, Pankaj Yani, was rescued in critical condition and shifted to hospital for treatment.

Police and district administration officials reached the spot and launched an investigation. The state government announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.