Three labourers died on Sunday after falling into a 20-feet-deep drain while clearing a clogged manhole at Kolkata Leather Complex in Bantala area, police said.

One of the labourers tripped and fell into the drain while cleaning the effluents from the tannery, following which the two others who tried to save him also fell into it, a police officer said, adding that the personnel of the disaster management force and fire brigade retrieved the three bodies after an hour-long search.

The three deceased labourers have been identified as Farzan Sheikh, Hasi Sheikh and Suman Sardar.

According to eyewitnesses, a strong chemical odour emanating from the manhole may have led to the deaths.

Municipal Affairs Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the spot and termed the deaths as unfortunate and tragic. He said the state government would launch a probe to determine the specific lapses and also find out those responsible for the tragedy.

“We will inquire whether the agency involved in the clean-up and the contractor followed all necessary guidelines and take action against those responsible,” he said.

Additionally, as per the Chief Minister’s orders, Rupees 10 lakh compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased, he said.

The 2013 Supreme Court ban on manual scavenging and mandated safety protocols were allegedly not followed and the Mayor acknowledged that workers sometimes disregard safety procedures.

In a dig at the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over the deaths of pilgrims in Maha Kumbh Mela, Hakim said, “This is not UP. We always stand by the people and don’t leave them,” adding that, “We are not like BJP, which suppresses real deaths and floats the bodies in the Ganges. Like what happened in Kumbh Mela!

Reacting to it, the Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, “Those who question UP should first see the condition of their state. The government knows nothing other than taking innocent lives.” — WITH PTI