Chlorine leak in P’kula lands 45 in hospital

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, August 10

Panic spread when a dysfunctional chlorine cylinder, installed at a tubewell at the Sector 20 Ashiana flats, started leaking early this morning. Forty-five persons, including three fire brigade employees, were affected and taken to the General Hospital, Sector 6. Six of them were referred to the PGI.

The tubewell is run by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Gauri Parashar Joshi has marked an inquiry into the incident.

The incident came to light at 5 am when the operator, Sanjivan, reached the tubewell and suddenly felt uncomfortable due to the chlorine leak. He somehow managed to reach his flat at Ashiana and informed his seniors. His brother Ram Chander said all of a sudden, nearby residents also started complaining of vomiting and itching.

Rajman, another resident, said people starting having breathing problems and some even fell unconscious. Society residents took the affected to the hospital and nearby residents vacated the area, he said.

People informed the fire brigade about the incident. Fire engines reached the site at 6.30 am and started controlling the gas leak by using water. However, in the process, three firefighters also felt uncomfortable and had to be taken to the hospital. The firefighters took away the cylinder to an isolated place.

Later, an ambulance and officials of the district administration and HUDA also reached the spot and helped the people.

Cylinder was lying unused for four years

Sources said the cylinder was kept in a caged box, but was not used during the past four years. The effect of the gas leak was so strong that even leaves of trees got damaged.

Entire family affected

Vimal Kumar, who resides in House No. 232 at the Ashiana flats, said all five family members, including three children, got affected and were undergoing treatment at the Panchkula hospital.