Asansol, WB – Gas leak in a closed factory, 2 women killed

ASANSOL:  Two women in their 70’s died on Tuesday night after inhaling poisonous gas leaking from the godown of a closed factory in Asansol, West Bengal.
At least 22 people were also hospitalized, among them a four-year-old child. The condition of at least seven of them is critical.
Some claim the godown was being used as a garage and several cylinders of gas used for welding were stored in the premise.
Locals at the Gopalpur area of Asansol complained of a stinging smell around 7 pm, which was later traced to the godown. The police and the fire brigade were called in immediately.

Three fire tenders arrived at the spot soon after but at least four firemen were also affected by the gas. Efforts were on till late tonight to seal the source of the gas.

Asansol MP, BJP’s Babool Supriyo said that the police must investigate as to how such a large quantity of poisonous gas was stored in a densely populated locality.

Foam was being used to plug the leak.

Many locals fled the area and planned to stay away for the night.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu- Chemical Spill at Tamil Nadu Chemical Products factory; workers injured

A spill is defined as an uncontrolled release of a chemical.

Spills can be categorized into two types:

1. Major spills
2. Minor spills

Major spills meet these criteria: 

• There is fire or potential for fire or explosion.
• The spill poses an immediate danger to life or health.
• There are injuries requiring medical attention.
• You do not know the properties or hazards of the spilled material

MADURAI: Tension prevailed at Koviloor in Sivaganga district after gas leaked from a factory owned by Tamil Nadu Chemical Products Ltd on Thursday morning.

Several workers were at the factory, which produces sodium hydrosulphite and sulphur dioxide, when the gas leaked at around 10am.

Unconfirmed reports said some workers fainted after inhaling the gas. The cause of the gas leak, the number of the affected workers and other details were yet to be known.

Meanwhile, district administration announced a holiday for 10 schools near the factory as a precautionary measure.

Hundreds of angry villager’s gheraoed the factory demanding action against the management. They demanded that the authorities take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.