In a sad incident, 6 workers of a textile dyeing and printing mill in Surat died and 22 others were hospitalised after they inhaled toxic fumes leaking from a chemical tanker parked near the factory.
As per the media reports, the workers were at the factory in Sachin industrial area when the incident occurred.
As per the local officials, the matter came to light when the fire department received a call at around 4.25 am.
At least 25 to 26 workers fell unconscious after inhaling the toxic fumes coming out of the chemical tanker parked on a roadside near the factory and were rushed to the new civil hospital.
The leakage was brought under control after the tanker’s valve was closed by the fire department.
“The chemical was being illegally discharged from the tanker when a toxic gas leaked from it and spread to nearby areas,” the Surat civic body said in a statement. Some people from the nearby areas were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took to Twitter to express his condolences. “Many people have unfortunately died due to gas leak in Surat. May the departed souls rest in peace and their kin get the strength to bear this. I also pray for the well-being of those who have fallen ill in this incident,” he wrote.
“Extremely pained to know about the gas leakage at a company in Sachin GIDC area of Surat early morning today,” Gujarat Minister of State (Home) Harsh Sanghavi said. “I am in continuous contact with the police department. Had a word with the police commissioner, instructed them to look into this matter on a priority basis. We stand in solidarity with the families of departed souls,” he added.
