SHILLONG: A workplace accident claimed the lives of five people in the Lapalang area of Shillong on Saturday.
The deceased include three labourers and two brothers who attempted to rescue the workers trapped inside a well at a private construction site.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, the incident occurred around 7:30 pm on Friday when four labourers working inside the well to pump out water were suffocated by fumes emitted from a generator.
One of the labourers managed to escape and sought help, following which two brothers from the neighbourhood entered the well to rescue those trapped. However, they were also overcome by the fumes and became trapped, he added.
The deceased have been identified as Umesh Thakuri (30), Sunil Thakuri (34), Pynskhemlang Mawthoh (22), Rapborlang Nongspung (35) and Elka Shadap (25).
The State Rescue Team (SRT) retrieved all five from the well and rushed them to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), where doctors declared them brought dead.
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Police have registered a case at Rynjah Police Station.
Syiem noted that the exact cause of the deaths is yet to be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination report is received and added that further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, an official from the district administration said the sector magistrate has filed an FIR against the owner and the contractor for alleged negligence, reported The Meghalaya Monitor.
