Four students died due to exposure to suspected toxic gas in Vrindavan's Chaitanya Vihar on Wednesday while cleaning an underground water tank at a residential Sanskrit school. The tank was around 12-14 feet deep, and after cleaning it with a motor pump, the students entered it to remove remaining water and sludge.
The students started the cleaning process after they noticed a foul smell coming from the tank. The officials said that one student entered the tank first but soon became unconscious. To rescue him, four others ventured into the tank, but they too collapsed.
All five were later pulled out and rushed to the hospital, where four of them died. The administration sent their body to the mortuary and informed their families. All the deceased were aged between 17 and 20, Mathura DM Chandra Prakash Singh said.
The police have identified the fifth student as Rudra, who was receiving treatment. Speaking about the incident, SSP Shlok Kumar said that Rudra was conscious and able to speak. He was taken to the district hospital from where he was referred for closer monitoring.
DM Chandra Prakash said that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered in the incident and its report would establish how the incident took place and whether the guruklam had the required recognition.
He said, "A magisterial inquiry would be conducted to ascertain how the incident occurred, whether the gurukulam had the required recognition and under what circumstances the students were made to clean the water tank."
The magisterial inquiry will also examine why students were asked to clean the underground tank and whether proper safety measures were in place.
The magistrate will also examine CCTV footage from the site. The police will also take further legal action based on complaints filed by the families of the deceased students.