The incident took place after students noticed a foul smell coming from the tank, which was around 12 to 14 feet deep.
Four students died and another was injured after they were exposed to suspected toxic gas while cleaning an underground water tank at a residential Sanskrit school in Vrindavan’s Chaitanya Vihar, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place after students noticed a foul smell coming from the tank, which was around 12 to 14 feet deep. The students first used a motor to remove water before attempting to clean the remaining water and sludge.
According to officials, one student entered the tank but soon became unconscious. Four others went inside in an attempt to rescue him, but they too collapsed. All five were pulled out and taken to hospital.
#WATCH | Vrindavan, UP: Four students died after allegedly being overcome by toxic gas while cleaning a water tank. https://t.co/a03YbS32aa
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2026
Four Students Die, One Survives
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh said four students, aged between 17 and 20, died in the incident. Their bodies were sent to the mortuary and their families were being informed.
The fifth student, identified as Rudra, survived and was receiving treatment. SSP Shlok Kumar said he was conscious and able to speak. He was initially taken to the district hospital before being referred for closer monitoring.
The Mathura Police said the incident occurred at Vrindavan Gurukulam, where students live and study.
Probe Ordered Into Tank Cleaning
Singh said a magisterial inquiry would be held to establish how the incident occurred and whether the gurukulam had the required recognition.
“A magisterial inquiry would be conducted to ascertain how the incident occurred, whether the gurukulam had the required recognition and under what circumstances the students were made to clean the water tank,” he said.
The inquiry will also examine why students were made to clean the underground tank and whether proper safety measures were in place.