Malappuram, Kerala – July 30, 2025:
In a tragic incident that has raised serious questions about industrial safety in the poultry sector, three migrant labourers lost their lives while working at a poultry waste treatment plant in Urangattiri, near Areekode, in Kerala’s Malappuram district.
The deceased have been identified as Hitesh Saranya (46) and Vikas Kumar (29) from Bihar, and Samad Ali (20) from Assam. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. while the trio was reportedly cleaning a chemical treatment tank. They were found unconscious inside the tank and were rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Manjeri, where they were declared dead.
Though the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, preliminary findings suggest the men may have been exposed to toxic gases released during the cleaning of the chemical tank. It is suspected that the confined space and lack of proper ventilation or safety protocols could have contributed to the tragedy.
Local residents said they had limited information about the operations of the privately-run waste treatment facility. However, they did express concerns over strong, foul odours occasionally emanating from the plant. The incident has reignited discussions around the need for stricter regulations, transparency, and safety measures in poultry waste management facilities.
Authorities are expected to initiate a thorough probe into the incident, and labour rights groups have called for accountability and improved safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
Eggora extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and urges stakeholders across the poultry ecosystem to prioritise worker safety and ensure responsible waste management practices.