A devastating incident unfolded in Puducherry on Tuesday as a 60-year-old woman, her daughter, and granddaughter tragically lost their lives after inhaling poisonous gas that had filled the toilet of their house. Authorities identified the gas as emanating from the underground drainage system in Pudunagar.
According to police reports, Senthamarai, the elderly woman, collapsed after entering the toilet. Her daughter, Kamatchi, rushed to assist her but also succumbed to the toxic fumes. Tragically, seeing her relatives unconscious, Senthamarai’s granddaughter, Baghyalakshmi, entered the toilet as well, meeting the same fate.
Neighbours acted swiftly, rushing the victims to a nearby hospital. However, despite medical efforts, doctors declared them deceased due to inhaling the poisonous gas.
Upon receiving notification of the incident, police and fire service personnel promptly responded, urging residents in the vicinity to evacuate their homes as the source of the toxic gas was identified as the underground drainage system.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh for the bereaved family and ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
