Six people died today inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank in Joypurhat.

The incident took place at Zafarpur village under Akkelpur upazila of the district this morning, reports our Dinajpur correspondent quoting Kiran Kumar Roy, officer-in-charge of Akkelpur Police Station.

The deceased were identified as: Pritam Chandra Mohanta, 19, son of Nitish Chandra Mohanta of Zafarpur; Sihab Hossain, 18, son of Sathi Mia of Ulipur; Gonesh Chandra Mohanta, 45, son of Gobinda Chandra Mohanta of Zafarpur; Sajal Mia, 29, son of Rezaul Islam of Gonipur; Shahin Akanda, 30, son of Shamsul Akanda of Gonipur under Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat; and Mukul Mia, 25 of Khaliswar village under Dupchachia upazila of Bogura.

The six men went to the village to clean the septic tank owned by one Nitish Chandra Mohanta around 9:00am, the OC said.

After Shahin Akanda went down inside the septic tank, he lost his consciousness, the official also said.

As the others tried to rescue Shahin, all of them also lost their consciousness, including the owner’s son Pritam Chandra Mohanta, OC Kiran said.

On information, rescue teams of firefighters from Joypurhat and Akkelpur went to the spot and brought the six persons out of the septic tank.

They were rushed to Akkelpur Upazila Health Complex where doctor declared them dead.

The dead bodies have been handed over to family members, the OC added.