One Dead, One Injured While Cleaning Drain in Mumbai’s Goregaon West

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel, February 03, 2026

Mumbai: A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday when two labourers suffocated while cleaning a deep drainage line near Mega Mall in Goregaon West. One worker lost his life, while the other sustained injuries and was later discharged after treatment.

The incident was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) control room at around 3:40 am. According to officials, the two workers—Salil Razak Gazi (27) and Sahil Noor Islam (30)—were employed by a private contractor and were engaged in cleaning a drainage line along Link Road near Mega Mall Gate No. 2.

Officials said the drain was approximately 25 to 30 feet deep and about six feet wide. While carrying out the cleaning work inside the confined space, both labourers suddenly complained of severe breathing difficulties. Preliminary information suggests that the men may have been exposed to toxic gases or a dangerously low oxygen level inside the drain.

Before fire brigade teams could reach the spot, staff from the private company managed to rescue one of the workers using a rope. Subsequently, personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade conducted a coordinated rescue operation and pulled out the second labourer from the drain.

Both workers were immediately rushed to Trauma Care Hospital for medical treatment. Doctors later confirmed that Sahil Noor Islam, aged 30, suffered minor injuries and was discharged after receiving first aid. However, Salil Razak Gazi, aged 27, was declared brought dead on arrival.

The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police, the 108 ambulance service, and civic ward officials. Further investigation is underway to determine whether proper safety measures, protective equipment, and protocols were followed during the drainage cleaning work.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns over worker safety, hazardous manual cleaning practices, and the lack of adequate safeguards for labourers engaged in high-risk civic work across the city.