Fatal ring well accident in Medziphema results in loss of two lives

DIMAPUR — In a tragic incident on April 4, two persons lost their lives while working inside a ring well at Rai Basti, approximately 2 km away from Medziphema town, Chümoukedima.

According to ASI Angukato K Yeptho of the State Disaster Response Force based in Dimapur, the Medziphema Police informed them about the incident around 5:30 pm on Thursday.

Upon receiving authorisation from the District Disaster Management Authority, Chümoukedima, Yeptho and a team of nine SDRF personnel promptly arrived at the scene around 7:20 pm.

When the two victims were working in the well, the third person sought help from nearby individuals and Northeast Frontier Railway labourers after observing that they were experiencing difficulty breathing and losing consciousness, Yeptho said.

The third person also faced difficulty breathing when he attempted to rescue the two individuals inside the ring well, but he was fortunately rescued by people in the vicinity.

Due to the risk involved, the public decided to wait for the SDRF team to carry out the rescue operation. However, by the time the team arrived, the two individuals inside the ring well were found lifeless, he said.

The victims were identified as 25-year-old Lushei Khiamniungan from Noklak village and 52-year-old Mongchon Khiamniungan from Choklangan village under Noklak district.

It was suggested that the two individuals might have succumbed earlier, given that reviving an unconscious person is usually viable within eight minutes. Beyond this window, the chances of revival decrease significantly, the SDRF official said.

As a safety precaution, the SDRF team employed improvised hooks to retrieve the bodies of the duo. The first body was recovered around 7:45 pm, followed by the second body around 8:10 pm. Subsequently, they transferred the mortal remains to the Medziphema Police.

While sharing about safety measures, Yeptho mentioned the importance of tying a rope securely around one’s body before entering a ring well and the necessity of having someone stationed outside to keep a watch at all times.

Another measure is to lower a bucket with a lit candle to check oxygen levels inside the ring well. If the candle blows off, it indicates insufficient oxygen inside the ring well, he explained while cautioning that toxic gases may also be present, particularly in deeper ring wells.

He also recommended using ventilation fans or improvised table fans inside the well while carrying out digging work.