A chemical factory near Jambusar in Gujarat’s Bharuch district reported a gas leak incident on Thursday, resulting in hospitalisation of 28 individuals.
The incident occurred at P.I. Industries located in the vicinity of Sarod village, where a fire broke out, leading to the release of bromine gas. “As a result, 28 people had difficulty breathing and were promptly admitted to a nearby hospital,” said Bharuch Resident Additional Collector NR Dhandhal. Further investigations into the incident are currently on, he said.
Around 2,000 workers were present in the factory at the time of the leak, which was reported around 1 pm. All workers were safely evacuated from the premises by the fire-fighting team along with other rescue groups.
“As many as 18 workers were hospitalised after inhaling the (bromine) gas that leaked from a tank of a chemical factory located at Vedaj village,” stated sub-inspector Vaishali Ahir of Vedach police station.
“The leakage has been controlled,” said Bharuch superintendent of police (SP) Mayur Chavda. “No casualty has been reported in the incident,” he said.
Earlier, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) issued a directive to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to pay ₹50 lakh in compensation for environmental damage resulting from a crude oil spill from one of its pipelines in Bharuch district on May 26.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has raised concerns as it is alleged that 25 camels died after drinking water contaminated by the oil spill. ONGC, however, has denied any connection between the deaths of the camels and the oil leakage, said sources.
Also Read: Controversy-Hit WFI Loses Premier Wrestling Body Membership
