Four Workers Die of Asphyxiation in Water Tank at Mumbai Construction Site

Mumbai, 10th March 2025: A tragic accident at a high-rise construction site in Nagpada claimed the lives of four migrant workers from Bengal on Sunday after they suffocated inside a basement water tank. A fifth worker, who attempted to rescue them, lost consciousness but survived after being rushed to a hospital.

The 13×13-foot tank had remained sealed and dry for nearly two years, leading to a buildup of toxic gases and sludge. “No safety equipment was provided to us,” said Bhutan Sheikh, 31, who was injured during the incident.

According to workers on-site, carpenters Hasibul Sheikh, 19, and Ziyaul Sheikh, 36, were the first to enter the tank. When they failed to respond for a prolonged period, two plastering workers—Imandar Sheikh, 38, and Raja Sheikh, 20—went in to check on them.

“When all four got trapped, we sent another worker down with a rope,” said a worker who witnessed the scene. Bhutan Sheikh, who attempted the rescue, recalled the terrifying moment. “As soon as I went down a little, I felt numb because of the gas. I screamed for them to pull me up, and I lost consciousness once I reached the top,” he said.

Workers at the site admitted that entering water tanks without protective gear was a common practice. However, none of them had anticipated the hazardous conditions inside this particular tank.

Following the incident, a large crowd of workers and residents gathered at JJ Hospital, where the bodies had been taken, demanding accountability for the tragedy. “This is rare. Many of us have worked in construction for 15-20 years, and we still don’t understand how this happened,” said Adil Sheikh, a 40-year-old worker who lived near the victims.

The under-construction building, which is expected to rise over 40 floors, had completed 30 floors. The project originally began as a redevelopment of two old buildings by a group of developers before being stalled at an early stage.

Authorities are now investigating the incident, and concerns are being raised over safety lapses at construction sites across the city.