License of hotel revoked after two employees die of suffocation while cleaning waste tank

KOZHIKODE: The license of Ammas Hotel in Kalandithazham here has been revoked by the corporation after two people died of suffocation while cleaning waste tank in Kovoor.

The health department clarified that the action was taken because the workers were made to enter the tank without any precautions. Jayashree, chairperson of the standing committee of the health department, said that an investigation will be conducted into the incident and that the corporation has not been informed about matters such as the disposal of waste in the hotel.

Meanwhile, the Chevayur police, who inspected the spot, registered a case against the hotel owner for unnatural death. It is reported that more sections will be charged if the hotel owner is found guilty. The investigation team will take the statements of the building owner and the hotel owner. The initial conclusion of the police is that the cause of death was inhalation of toxic gas.

The investigating team said that the accident may have been caused by opening the closed waste tank and cleaning it without giving time for the toxic gas to escape. The bodies of the deceased, Rineesh (50), a native of Koottalida, and Ashokan (55), a native of Kinalur, were handed over to their relatives after post-mortem.