Body parts of worker recovered from Varthur sewage tank as search continues

Search teams have recovered the body parts of one deceased worker and continue to search for a second missing man eight days after they fell into a 40-foot-deep sewage treatment tank in Belagere, Varthur. The accident occurred at around 6:10 PM on a Thursday evening at a Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) sewage treatment facility.

Three labourers were performing maintenance work on three gates in the treatment system when they reportedly lost balance and slipped into the deep tank. While one worker, Karthik, managed to escape the tank and alert other staff members, the other two were swept away.

Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been conducting search operations under highly challenging conditions. Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by toxic gases, poor visibility, and a strong water flow inside the treatment tank.

While search teams recovered the body parts of one of the victims, the body of 30-year-old Akhilesh, a worker from Bihar, remains missing.

The tragedy has sparked protests from activists who are demanding higher compensation and accountability. Although the government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each deceased worker’s family, activists held a silent protest outside the treatment plant on Thursday. The protesters demanded Rs 50 lakh in compensation, citing a Rs 30 lakh legal minimum for sewer deaths. They also called for the immediate recovery of Akhilesh's body and stricter safety measures.

Advocate Narasimha Murthy submitted a representation to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar through BWSSB Chairperson Manjula, demanding the Rs 50 lakh compensation. Murthy noted that these workers operate in highly hazardous environments, often without proper protective gear. He added that accountability must be fixed on both the BWSSB and the contractor, and announced that a meeting has been called for Monday for authorities to respond to the demands.