Two brothers have died after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank used for storing betel nuts in Fatikchhari of Chittagong Chittagong,
Three others also fell sick and have been admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
The incident occurred at the home of Haji Gonnumia Soudagar in Ward 6 of the Paindong Union around 11am on Friday..
The deceased are Shafi, 38 and Shahidullah, 36, both sons of the late Saleh Ahmed from the area.
The three other individuals are Shafi, Touhidul Alam, and Faruk.
Dr Tuhin Das Shubho from the CMCH emergency department confirmed the deaths of the two brothers.
Witnesses and local union council member Mohin Uddin reported that Shafi was a betel nut trader.
On Thursday night, he brought a truckload of betel nuts from Teknaf and stored them in the septic tank for processing.
On Friday afternoon, while cleaning another adjacent septic tank, Shafi lost consciousness due to inhaling toxic gas. His younger brother Shahidullah fell ill while trying to rescue him.
Upon receiving the news, a fire service team arrived at the scene and rescued five individuals, taking them to the local health complex.
After receiving initial treatment, they were referred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where the two brothers died.
The other three remain under treatment at CMCH.
Regarding the incident, Kamal Uddin, the station officer of the Fatikchhari Fire Service, said that they quickly reached the scene upon receiving the report and rescued five people.
Betel nuts were stored in a seven to eight-foot-deep septic tank and the accident occurred while attempting to retrieve the nuts.
The decomposition of the betel nuts produced excessive methane gas in the tank, which led to a lack of oxygen, causing them to lose consciousness and fall ill.
