MYSTERY surrounding the death of three expatriates continues as a probe into the manhole tragedy gains momentum.
While the results of a high-level probe ordered by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister are awaited, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry yesterday said the reason for the men venturing into the sewage tunnel on Budaiya Highway remains unknown.
The ministry, in a statement, added that the company lacked the permit to open the manhole.
“Work was underway on a project to divert water flow from the F6 pumping station located in Bani Jamra to the treatment plant in Salman City,” it said.
“The team consisting of a number of employees and the ministry’s technicians completed the work at 3.45am and left the site.
“The three contracting company staff subsequently went to the manhole – which is about 250m away from the F6 station and located outside their worksite – for reasons unknown.
“They opened the manhole cover, which was not within the scope of the work permit granted to the contractor.”
The GDN yesterday reported on the deaths of Debasis Sahoo, 30, Rakesh Kumar Yadav, 31 and Mohammed Tousif Khan, 32 – who went into the tunnel, allegedly without permission.
A fourth worker, Jag Mohan, who was rescued, is stable and recovering.
The GDN learned that labour inspectors have found major violations on the part of the electrical maintenance company, the employer of the Indian men who died from asphyxia after inhaling poisonous gases in the sewage tunnel on Monday.
Informed sources told the GDN that preliminary information revealed failure in safety protocols.
“Inspectors visited the site and it has been reported that the company did not have a permit to carry out maintenance in this area,” said the source.
“Moreover, the men were not supervised and basic checks were not done before they opened and entered the manhole.
“The workers did not have a face mask or an oxygen cylinder.
“It remains unknown as to why they did this job when it was not assigned to them.
“As informed, concerned ministries have recommended that the company’s permit to engage in such jobs be blocked.”
A final decision in this regard will be taken by the Public Prosecution.
The probe report will also be submitted to the investigation team headed by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
The incident was reported at 4.49am on Monday on the exit road from Bani Jamra village and the men reportedly suffocated from a high concentration of methane gas inside the manhole, which is less than three metres deep.
“As per preliminary information, there was a leak in the manhole which opens to a major sewerage network in the area, including that of the Budaiya Health Centre,” the source said.
“The men reportedly opened the manhole in an attempt to fix this leak.
“The first and second worker collapsed as they entered the tunnel. There was water inside and they could not get out, which prompted the third person to climb in to rescue them, but he also died.
“As per procedures, workers must first check for water and gas levels before going in (to the manhole) and should have full face oxygen mask with a cylinder outside, manned by a person.
“It was not just methane gas inside the tunnel, there was also hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide, all of which, in high quantities can be lethal.
“Moreover, even with these precautions, workers should rotate in short shifts of 20 minutes each, as per the norm.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, the company said it abided by all safety measures.
“All the safety gears and equipment were verified by ministry’s safety officer and we were allowed to start and complete the job in their presence,” it said.
“They left the site after the completion of work.”
However it remains unclear as to which worksite the company was referring to.
On the specific incident of the men entering the manhole without permit, it said the “incident is under investigation”.
“We are also waiting to know the truth,” it said.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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