Three contract labourers died while cleaning a septic tank of a newly opened public toilet in Kandivli West on Thursday. The assistant commissioner said toxic gas from the tank could have caused the deaths, and that the incident will be probed.

“The toilet is surrounded by slums and people had been complaining that the septic tank was stinking. Someone from a community-based organisation called an agency to inspect the issue. The agency sent three labourers, who opened the lid and one worker bent down to check. As per an eyewitness, he slipped into the tank and the other labourers fell down while helping him,” said Kamlesh Yadav, a former local corporator.