Pabna, Aug 15 (V7N) – Two construction workers died and two others were seriously injured after becoming trapped inside a septic tank in the Dakshinpara area of Bera municipality in Pabna on Thursday morning.
 
The incident occurred around 11:00 AM at the residence of a man named Taher Uddin, where construction was underway on a newly built septic tank. According to police and local sources, the tank’s concrete roof had been poured approximately 10 to 12 days earlier. On the day of the incident, workers entered the tank to remove bamboo scaffolding and support poles used during the casting process.
 
Shortly after entering the confined space, the workers began shouting for help, prompting neighbors to rush to the scene and alert the fire service. Rescue teams arrived and pulled all four men out. Two were pronounced dead upon arrival at Bera Upazila Health Complex, while the two others were transferred in critical condition to Pabna General Hospital.
 
The deceased have been identified as Sajibul Islam, 25, son of Abul Kalam, and Mostakin Hossain, 30, son of Abdul Gafur — both residents of the Hatigara area in Bera municipality. The injured are Robiul Islam, 26, from the village of Brishalikha, and Samrat Sheikh, 25, also from Hatigara.
 
Officials from both the fire service and Bera Model Police Station believe that the accident may have been caused by a lack of oxygen inside the sealed septic tank. Since the tank had remained closed since the casting, oxygen levels had likely dropped dangerously low, leading to suffocation when the workers entered.
 
Officer-in-Charge, (OC) of Bera Model Police Station, Oliur Rahman, confirmed the incident. “We visited the site and suspect the cause was oxygen deprivation due to the tank being sealed for a prolonged period. The bodies were recovered and handed over to their families. A case of unnatural death has been registered,” he said.
 
The incident highlights the continued lack of safety protocols in construction sites across rural Bangladesh, where workers often operate without proper ventilation, protective equipment, or risk assessments when dealing with confined spaces.
 
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