Fatal leak

In a grim reminder of the Bhopal gas tragedy of India -- albeit smallscale -- deadly ammonia gas leaking from a truck carrying more than 30 ammonia cylinders, killed at least 20 people in a Lahore (Pakistan) slum area on January 8. The accident which occurred in the Mogul Pura area in northern Lahore, left hundreds hospitalised. The incident has brought to light the lack of regulations for transportation of hazardous materials in Pakistan. The Punjab governor has promised to designate routes through sparsely populated areas for transporting toxic chemicals.