Idukki Collector Dineshan Cheruvattu has submitted a report to the government on the death of three persons after they entered a waste dump of a hotel at Kattappana on Tuesday night to clean it.
In the report, the Collector is understood to have recommended providing financial assistance to the families of the dead.
The police identified the dead as Tamil Nadu Cumbum residents Michael, alias Selvan, 23, Sundara Pandiyan, 36, and Jayaraman. Michel initially entered the tank and was trapped inside. Sundara Pandiyan entered the tank to rescue Michael, while Jayaraman, who was contracted for the cleaning work, rushed in to assist them.
The police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel pulled out the workers from the tank after an hour-long effort. Though they were rushed to a hospital, their life could not be saved.
The Collector also directed the Pollution Control Board, secretary of Kattappana municipality, and the Joint Director of the Local Self-Government to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The Collector also recommended an investigation into lapses, if any, in the construction of the waste tank. He is awaiting a report from the police and further action will be based on it.
After post-mortem examination, the bodies were handed over to relatives on Monday. As per the preliminary autopsy report, the deaths occurred due to the inhalation of toxic gas from the waste tank.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, who is also in charge of the district, sought a report from the Collector on the incident.
Published – October 02, 2025 07:07 pm IST
