Four workers were reportedly trapped inside a newly constructed septic tank while carrying out construction work at a house in Rangdokram village of South Garo Hills district on Sunday afternoon.

According to officials, the incident took place around 3 pm at the residence of Sebastian Ch. Sangma. The workers were reportedly attempting to open the cover of the newly constructed septic tank when they fell inside.

Other workers who attempted to rescue them were also reportedly affected by gas inside the tank.

Officials suspect that toxic gas accumulated inside the septic tank may have caused the incident. The exact circumstances are yet to be ascertained.

The four workers have been identified as Mofidur Rohman (34), Ajiyer Rahman (41), Ismail Hussain (20) and Rakib Hussain (22). All four are residents of Assam’s South Salmara-Mankachar district.

A rescue operation is underway, while further details regarding the workers’ condition and the progress of the rescue efforts are awaited.