Nagpur, Aug. 24 -- At least 56 people were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak at a water purification plant of the state-run Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran in Nagpur district shortly after midnight on Monday, officials said.
Of these, 11 patients were discharged later in the day after treatment, while 45 still remain admitted in hospitals, including eight in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), they said.
The leakage occurred in a 900-kg capacity chlorine gas cylinder at the water treatment plant of the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran in the Godhani gram panchayat area at around 1 am, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) said.
The gas leak caused distress to residents of nearby localities with people running for safety and gasping for breath.
In the early hours of August 24, it was noticed that one of two chlorine gas cylinders at the Godhani water purification plant was leaking. Under the guidance of the Nagpur collector, the Directorate of Health Services, industrial safety authorities and an NDRF team coordinated to mitigate the potential danger from the accident, said a release issued by the by District Information Office (DIO).
A total of 56 people were admitted to hospitals because of the gas leak. Of these, 11 people were treated and later sent home in stable condition. At present, 45 people remain hospitalised, of whom eight are receiving treatment in the ICU, said the release.
The leaking cylinder was fully submerged in water, and the hazard was brought under control.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.