Three members of the same family of pig farmers and a neighbour died on a farm in a Serbian village after falling into a septic tank.
The tragedy happened as the 21-year-old student was apparently the first to be overcome by fumes from the septic tank while cleaning it in the village of Ljuboselo near the town of Topola in central Serbia on 30th April.
The others died as they tried to rescue him with the victims identified as grandfather Bogdan Jokic, 71, his son Nikola, 47, Nikola’s son Filip, and their neighbour Vladimir Izljamovic.
Nikola Jokic (bottom left) poses with his son Filip Jokic (upper right), his wife Olivera Jokic (bottom right) and a family member, undated. Nikola and Filip drowned in their septic tank in Topola, Serbia, on 30th April. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (Olivera Jokic/Newsflash/NX)
Filip, the 21-year-old student at the University of Kragujevac's Faculty of Economics, was believed to have been the first to fall into the tank.
Witnesses said his aunt screamed for help after seeing him fall.
Neighbour Vladimir, 49, was the first to respond, rushing from his adjacent property to try to help.
Vladimir, who worked for the municipal housing and sanitation service in Topola and was a former pharmacy employee, is reported to have succumbed to ammonia fumes and fallen in himself.
The others followed in an effort to help the earlier victims and also succumbed to the toxic fumes.
Olivera Jokic (far left), her husband Nikola Jokic (second left) and their son Filip Jokic (far right) pose with two girls in undated photo. Nikola and Filip drowned in their septic tank in Topola, Serbia, on 30th April. Note: Picture is taken from social media. (Olivera Jokic/Newsflash/NX)
Filip's grandmother Nada, who also tried to help, was the only one to survive but is said to be hospitalised in critical condition.
Emergency responders including fire and rescue crews and ambulance teams arrived quickly but could not save any of the men.
The Jokic family reportedly ran a pig farm and also owned a fast-food restaurant in the centre of Topola.
Locals said they had been preparing a celebration for Filip’s sister's coming of age when the tragedy happened.
They also said the tragedy was the worst in living memory.
Photos circulating on social media showed the deceased men - Filip, Nikola, Bogdan, and Vladimir.
Officials declared three days of mourning in Topola.
Online tributes described Vladimir as a "hero" who "rushed to help and died trying to save others."
Colleagues from the sanitation company posted: "Irreplaceable loss for all of us. Rest in peace, our dear Vlado."
Fellow students of Filip shared a statement: "His departure is not only a loss for the family, but also for our entire faculty and the community to which he belonged."
(MJ Leidig/newsX)