4 Workers Lost Their Lives from Suffocation at Patis Factory in Bulacan
Four workers lost their lives after being suffocated inside a fermentation tank at a fish sauce (patis) factory in Obando, Bulacan.
The police authorities discovered the remains of the victims in Barangay Panghulo where the incident happened. The victims were employees working in the same compound as the factory.
According to initial reports, one of the victims was instructed by the owner to clean the fermentation pool. However, another worker later found him unconscious inside the tank. Three other workers attempted to help but they also did not make it out.
It is suspected that the workers died from suffocation caused by exposure to harmful chemicals inside the tank. During the rescue, authorities used breathing apparatuses due to the overwhelming smell inside the tank, further indicating the hazardous conditions.
“Humingi siya ng tulong sa mga kasamahan niya doon na nagtatrabaho, pagkatapos tatlo kaagad yung tumulong na iahon yung [biktima] hanggang sa hindi na rin sila nakaahon,” Obando MPS case investigation PSSG Isagani Soriano said.
Among the victims, two were caretakers of the compound, while the other two were construction workers from a nearby gym. The families were puzzled knowing that the factory had reportedly been non-operational for four years.
The incident raised questions about why the fermentation tank needed to be cleaned in the first place.
The police are currently investigating whether the factory was indeed non-operational and looking into the responsibility of the factory owner. It was noted that the victims lacked proper safety gear, using only ropes during the operation.
One of the victim’s families mentioned that they signed a waiver indicating that the owner would cover the funeral expenses. However, they are still considering whether to take legal action depending on the outcome of their discussions with the owner.
In a previous incident, a treasure hunter passes away due to suffocation inside cave in Maguindanao
As of this writing, the factory owner has yet to give a statement regarding the incident.
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