Overview

• An accidental-death case has been filed by Nigdi police and post-mortems have been ordered to determine the cause of the workers’ deaths.
• Preliminary investigations indicate that exposure to highly toxic fumes or oxygen deficiency in the confined BSNL optical-fibre chamber led to instant suffocation.
• Investigators plan to question BSNL officials and contractor personnel to examine compliance with safety protocols and equipment provision.
• PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh has clarified that the inspection chamber belongs to BSNL, not the municipal corporation.
• Survivor Babasaheb Ambadas Wagh raised the alarm after remaining outside the chamber and alerted residents and emergency services.