Four people died after being exposed to suspected toxic gas while cleaning a food waste chamber at a private hotel in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place late on Saturday, October 31, at Shri Ganga Hotel on the Ujjain-Dewas Road. Two other people who entered the chamber in an attempt to rescue the trapped workers also fell ill and were taken to hospital.
According to officials, the incident occurred at around 11 pm when workers entered a chamber used by the hotel to collect food waste and other leftovers. The chamber was located towards the rear of the hotel and was used to store waste generated during food preparation and other operations.
The waste included food residue, leftover sweets, dairy products, water, sugar syrup, ghee and oil. The material was subsequently channelled into the drainage system. Preliminary information suggests that a blockage in the chamber may have prompted the cleaning work.
The deaths have raised serious questions about workplace safety and the precautions followed during cleaning operations involving confined spaces. Police and district officials are investigating how the accident happened and whether the workers were provided with adequate safety equipment.
The exact sequence of events is still being investigated. One account suggests that two people initially entered the chamber for cleaning, while two others went inside later to rescue them. Another preliminary version indicates that a worker slipped and fell inside, prompting others to enter in an attempt to save him.
Whatever the sequence, the workers appear to have become trapped after losing consciousness inside the chamber. Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said toxic gas may have accumulated inside, causing the workers to collapse. He also indicated that the gas could have made the floor slippery, adding to the danger.
The situation became more serious when two other people entered the chamber to help the trapped workers. They too were affected by the suspected gas exposure and developed health problems. Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police and emergency teams reached the hotel after receiving information about the accident. However, rescuing the trapped workers proved difficult because the metal door of the chamber could not be opened easily.
Rescue personnel initially attempted to gain access using available tools. A cutting machine was eventually brought from a nearby construction site to break open the metal structure. The operation took considerable time, with police personnel and other emergency workers struggling to reach those inside.
Madhav Nagar police station in-charge Gajendra Pachoriya said the rescue operation lasted nearly 90 minutes. Once the workers were pulled out, police personnel attempted to revive them through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They were subsequently taken to hospital, where doctors declared all four dead.
The deceased have been identified as Kamlesh Tamboli, Nitin Valmik, Manoj Meena and Wahid, according to police reports. Their deaths have left families devastated, with some of the victims having taken up additional work to support their households.
One of the deceased, Kamlesh Tamboli, was a daily-wage worker and the sole breadwinner of his family. His brother said the additional work available during the Diwali period helped him manage household expenses. Kamlesh is survived by his wife and four-year-old daughter.
Another victim, Wahid, reportedly worked as a sanitation worker at a local hospital and took up extra assignments after his regular duty. His family said he had informed them that he would be returning home late after taking up work at the hotel. They received news of his death around midnight.
Manoj Meena, who was from Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district, had been working as a hotel supervisor in Ujjain. His family said he had visited them shortly before the accident and returned to the city on October 30. His father described the visit as an ordinary family meeting that they never expected would be their last.
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the four deceased workers. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also directed officials to ensure that the announced assistance reached them.
Meanwhile, the police have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities are examining whether the workers entered the chamber voluntarily for cleaning, whether they accidentally fell inside and whether the hotel had followed the required safety procedures.
The role of the hotel management is also under scrutiny. Investigators are expected to establish whether workers were given protective equipment, whether the chamber was checked for dangerous gases before the cleaning operation and whether proper arrangements were made to carry out the work safely.
Hotel operator Chetan Gupta said the chamber was being cleaned using a motor when something became stuck. Workers reportedly entered to remove the obstruction, after which the accident occurred. The police have said that further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the evidence collected.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by workers who enter enclosed waste chambers, drainage systems and other confined spaces without adequate protection. Such locations can contain hazardous gases and have limited ventilation, making them extremely dangerous to enter without proper safety checks and equipment.
