LUCKNOW, May 9 -- In a tragic incident highlighting lapses in workplace safety, two labourers died of suspected toxic gas inhalation on Friday while cleaning a newly constructed septic tank in Nabipanah village, under the Mal police station limits. The deceased, identified as Rajesh, 36, and Rinku, 34, were engaged to clean a 15-ft-deep septic tank at a local farmer's residence. According to police, the tank had not been used previously. Police reports indicate the workers entered the tank sequentially. Rajesh was the first to enter and lost consciousness almost immediately. Rinku stepped inside shortly after and also collapsed within minutes. Locals alerted authorities when both men failed to emerge from the underground chamber. Police teams subsequently arrived at the scene, recovered the bodies and sent them for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. SI Shahid Mohammad Roshan said prima facie findings suggested that poisonous or chemical gas trapped inside the septic tank caused the deaths. "The septic tank was newly constructed and unused. The workers went inside for cleaning and fell unconscious shortly after entering. Toxic gas is suspected," the officer said. Police confirmed that neither labourer was equipped with basic protective gear, oxygen support, or a safety harness. Officials said no FIR or complaint had been lodged so far in the matter. Police were awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the exact cause of death. Recurring deaths have raised questions over enforcement of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, which bans hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without safety equipment and mechanised support. Civic activists and sanitation workers' groups have often alleged that contractual labourers continue to be sent into "toxic chambers" without adequate protection. Jalkal general manager Kuldeep Singh said manual entry into septic tanks should not be allowed and machine-based cleaning should be adopted instead. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, goggles and helmet, must be worn by workers during the cleaning process. Singh said equipment capable of detecting presence of toxic gases inside septic tanks should also be used and the septic tank cover should only be opened after checking for the presence of gas....