Chemical leak at factory in Baddi, Himachal, leaves one dead, seven ill

Tribune News Service

Solan, April 16

A blast in a chemical tank at an adhesives manufacturing unit of Pidilite Industries at Dharampur village in the Baddi industrial area of Himachal Pradesh led to the leakage of a noxious gas, leading to the death of a migrant in hutments in the vicinity; seven others were taken ill. The incident happened around 1 am on Thursday.

The unit was closed since the lockdown, and no manufacturing work was reportedly going on.

Those affected by the gas experienced suffocation. They were living in a cluster of around 50 ‘jhuggis’ situated adjacent to the unit’s boundary wall. Most of them were working for the company.

Two cows were also found dead in the area.

An investigating police officer said there were three chemical tanks, and leakage in one of them caused the blast.

Six of the seven persons who were taken ill were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, where their condition was stated to be serious. One was admitted to a local hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Siraj Khan of Uttar Pradesh.

Those referred to the PGI include four women and a one-year-old girl.

SP Baddi Rohit Malpani said a case under section 304 A and 336 of the IPC, for death due to negligence, has been registered against the company.