Health
At least 300 Delhi students fall ill after toxic gas leak; government orders probe
While investigation is on to find the cause of leakage, police have assured legal action against handlers
By Kundan Pandey
Published: Saturday 06 May 2017
These students from Rani Jhansi Sarvoday Kanya Vidyalay and Government Girls Senior Secondary School Number 2 were sent to four nearby hospitals: Batra Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Majeedia Hospital and ESI Hospital.
Noxious fumes, that emerged from the container, led to throat and eye irritation. According to media reports, at least two dozen students fainted following the incident. As many as nine teachers were reportedly admitted to the hospitals.
The leaked chemical, according to reports, was imported from China and was to be taken to Sonepat in Haryana.
Romil Baaniya, deputy commissioner of police, said that a legal action will be initiated against the handlers for negligence.
A senior police officer, who has been privy to developments, said that the students were treated for Chloromethyl Pyridine exposure. The chemical is used to produce insecticides and pesticides. Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe to understand how the chemical leaked.
Calling it “a man-made disaster”, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal demanded immediate removal of the container from the spot and questioned the need for a container depot in the heart of Delhi.
Have spoken to the Union Health Minister, he has created a team of doctors under AIIMS to ensure relevant care in case of any emergency. pic.twitter.com/PsfQZYtsmq
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 6, 2017
After visiting these hospitals, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, said that students are normal. He also added that a team of doctors is on alert in case of any emergency.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda said that the central government hospitals have been instructed to be ready to help all victims of Delhi gas leak incident.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Majeedia Hospital.
The schools in the area were closed for the day and all examinations were cancelled.
Related Stories
- Chlorine leak in Mumbai suburb sends 120 to hospital
- Tata Motors owns up chlorine leak in Jamshedpur
- Gujarat's Kakrapar nuclear plant shut down after leak
India Environment Portal Resources :
- Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding silicosis-affected workers of quartz crushing factories of Godhra and Balasinor, Gujarat, 01/05/2017
- Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding pollution caused by Nitta Gelatin India Ltd. to Chalakkudy river, Thrissur District, Kerala, 27/02/2017
- Health effects of the toxic gas leak from Union Carbide methyl isocyanate plant in Bhopal: technical report on pathology and toxicology
- Contamination of soil and water inside and outside the Union Carbide India Limited, Bhopal
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.