Pune Tragedy: Three Workers Die After Inhaling Toxic Gas While Cleaning Tank at Mushroom Unit

Three workers die in Pune after inhaling toxic gas inside a drainage tank at a mushroom unit; probe underway into safety lapses.

Pune, 27 April, 2026: In a tragic industrial accident near Pune, three workers lost their lives after allegedly inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a drainage tank at a mushroom processing unit in Belsar village, Purandar taluka. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about workplace safety and hazardous working conditions in confined spaces. According to police and preliminary reports, the accident occurred when one worker entered the underground tank to clear a wastewater line but failed to come out, prompting two others to follow him in an attempt to rescue him.

All three workers reportedly became unconscious inside the tank due to the accumulation of toxic gases, likely generated from decomposed waste and poor ventilation. Panic spread among other workers when none of them returned, following which emergency efforts were initiated. A JCB machine was used to break open the concrete slab covering the tank, and the workers were pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital in Jejuri. However, doctors declared them dead on arrival.

The deceased have been identified as Pintu Rajesh Prasad (23), Vyas Soham Kumar (22), and Gautam Ramsuran Kushwaha (36), all originally from Uttar Pradesh. Police officials stated that a case of accidental death has been registered, and further investigation is underway to determine whether safety protocols were followed at the site.

Initial findings suggest that the confined structure of the tank, combined with heat and lack of ventilation, may have led to a build-up of hazardous gases, causing rapid suffocation. Experts often warn that such environments can turn deadly within minutes if proper protective gear, oxygen supply systems, and safety procedures are not in place.

The incident also highlights a recurring and disturbing pattern seen across India, where workers engaged in cleaning tanks, sewers, or industrial waste systems face life-threatening risks. Data indicates that hundreds of such deaths have been reported over the years due to toxic gas exposure in confined spaces, often linked to inadequate safety enforcement.

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