Four students tragically died and one sustained injuries after allegedly being exposed to toxic gas while cleaning an underground water tank at a Sanskrit school in Vrindavan’s Chaitanya Vihar on October 6. The incident took place at a gurukulam run by Ashish Kumar Sharma, which reportedly has around 200 students enrolled, with nearly 100 residing on the premises.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh stated that the incident occurred when the students detected a foul odour emanating from the tank. The tank, measuring approximately 12 to 14 feet deep, was initially drained using a motor, after which the cleaning process commenced. It was reported that one student descended into the tank but lost consciousness due to the toxic fumes.

Subsequently, four other students entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him, only to face the same fate. The unconscious students were later retrieved and rushed to a local hospital, where four were declared dead. The lone survivor, identified as Rudra, is currently receiving medical treatment.

Casualties and Response

Shlok Kumar, the Senior Superintendent of Police, confirmed that the deceased students were aged between 17 and 20 years. Their bodies have been transferred to the mortuary, and officials are in the process of notifying their families about the tragic incident. The surviving student was initially treated at the district hospital before being referred for further monitoring to ensure his recovery.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has reportedly taken immediate action regarding the incident, directing officials to ensure proper rescue operations and medical care for the injured student. Efforts are being made to provide relief and support to the affected families.

A magisterial inquiry has been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the gurukulam possessed the necessary recognition to operate and the conditions under which the students were permitted to clean the water tank. The inquiry aims to clarify the events leading to the fatalities.

Future Preventive Measures

District Magistrate Singh also mentioned that an audit of other gurukulams in the area will be conducted to assess their safety and compliance with regulations. The authorities are determined to take preventive measures to avert such incidents from recurring in the future.

As part of the investigation, the CCTV footage from the location will be reviewed to gain insights into the sequence of events that occurred prior to the tragedy. Further legal action will be based on complaints submitted by the families of the deceased students.

This incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting the necessity for stringent safety protocols in educational institutions, especially those catering to minors. The tragic loss of young lives has sparked discussions about ensuring safety standards in residential educational setups across the state.

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