Eight people enter well to clean it, die after inhaling toxic gas in M.P.’s Khandwa

Representative image. At least eight people lost their lives on Thursday, April 3, 2025, allegedly from inhaling a toxic gas when they entered a well to clean it in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, police said
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

At least eight people lost their lives on Thursday (April 3, 2025) allegedly from inhaling a toxic gas when they entered a well to clean it in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, police said. 

According to the Police, the incident took place at around 4 p.m. in Kondavat village under Chaigaon Makhan police station limits when three men had entered a well on the outskirts of the village, in view of the ongoing Gangour festival and idol immersion which was to take place on Friday. 

Khandwa Superintendent of Police Manoj Rai told The Hindu that all eight bodies have been recovered and the victims are male, aged between 22 and 55. 

“First three people went into the well and started cleaning. As they cleared some silt, a gas started leaking from it resulting in the men fainting. Two more men went in to check on them but they also fainted and collapsed,” Mr. Rai said, adding that a total of eight men entered the well and all of them passed away. 

Mr. Rai said that the well is mainly used for religious processions and immersions. 

“We have sealed the surroundings and a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police recovered the bodies. They have also emptied the well using protection gear and machines,” he said. 

Mr. Rai said that the poisonous gas is suspected to be methane but it will be confirmed after the post-mortems. 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs4 lakh to the families of each victim. 

“As soon as the information about the incident was received, a joint rescue operation was carried out by the police, administration, home guards and SDERF team. In this hour of grief, I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each to the families of all the deceased,” Mr. Yadav said in an X post.