Four people died after reportedly inhaling toxic gas inside a well in Garh Karmauni village of the Dobhi police station area in Bihar’s Gaya district, officials said on Friday. The victims have been identified as Chamari Manjhi, his son Dilchand Manjhi, Vikas Chaudhary and Vijay Chaudhary, according to a police statement quoted by PTI.
Sequence of the incident
Senior Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar said the four men died after reportedly inhaling toxic gas while inside the well. The incident was reported from the Garh Karmauni hamlet under Dobhi police limits; local authorities reached the spot after receiving information from residents, the statement added.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to provide an immediate solatium of ₹4 lakh to the dependents of each deceased and to extend all possible assistance to affected families, the official release said. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also posted condolences on X, calling the news "extremely heartbreaking" and confirming orders for ex-gratia payments.
"The news of the death of four people due to exposure to poisonous gas in a well in Karamauni village of Dobhi block in Gaya is extremely heartbreaking. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved family members in this irreparable loss," the Deputy Chief Minister wrote on X.
Victims and relief announced
Local authorities have identified the four deceased and officials have initiated formal procedures to disburse the compensation announced by the state government. Police and district administration said they will provide assistance to the families and complete medico-legal formalities.
- Location: Garh Karmauni village, Dobhi police station area, Gaya district
- Deceased: Chamari Manjhi; Dilchand Manjhi; Vikas Chaudhary; Vijay Chaudhary
- Relief: ₹4 lakh ex-gratia to each family, as directed by the Chief Minister
| Victim | Relation / Details | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Chamari Manjhi | Resident (identified) | ₹4 lakh |
| Dilchand Manjhi | Son of Chamari Manjhi | ₹4 lakh |
| Vikas Chaudhary | Resident (identified) | ₹4 lakh |
| Vijay Chaudhary | Resident (identified) | ₹4 lakh |
Safety and official response
The police statement gave limited detail on the nature of the gas. Officials did not immediately disclose whether the gas originated from the well itself — for example, naturally occurring gases such as hydrogen sulphide or methane — or from contamination related to nearby activity. Investigations into the precise cause are expected to be carried out by local authorities and the district administration.
Gas-related fatalities in confined spaces such as wells and sewers are not uncommon in parts of rural India. Safety protocols for entering confined spaces typically call for gas testing, ventilation and use of protective equipment by trained personnel; whether these measures were in place or attempted at Garh Karmauni was not stated in initial reports.
District officials said they would coordinate with police to complete post-mortem examinations and to assist the bereaved families under state relief norms. The announcement of immediate solatia aims to provide urgent financial support while formal investigations and administrative procedures continue.
Local impact and next steps
The deaths have raised fresh concerns in the community about well safety and emergency response preparedness in the Dobhi area. Villagers and panchayat representatives are expected to press for clearer guidance and resources to prevent similar incidents, including awareness of confined-space hazards and access to gas-detection equipment for local teams.
District officials have been asked to submit a report on the incident and the circumstances leading to the fatal exposures. Further details, including the technical cause of the gas accumulation and any administrative lapses, will be made public as investigations proceed, the police statement said.
Reported by PTI and local administration releases.
