The Hindu : Gas leak; 50 hospitalised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Gas leak; 50 hospitalised

NELLORE, JAN. 11. Fifty 50 persons were hospitalised and there was widespread panic following leakage of chlorine gas from a cylinder of the municipality, in the Bujjammarevu area of Kamakshi Nagar here on Sunday.

The tank is one of the main supply zones of drinking water for Nellore town and chlorination is a regular process. However, today, when chlorine was being released into water, the gas leaked, obviously due to a loose connection in the nozzle. Its impact was felt only after some children began vomiting and others complained of irritation in the eyes and difficulty in breathing. Immediately the municipal authorities, health officials and police were alerted. There was commotion following rumours of an explosion due to cylinder leak. The authorities who rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and displaying presence of mind, pushed the cylinder into the nearby Pennar river, averting further leakage. But by then, 37 persons, including the Municipal Health Officer, G. Narayana Rao, a municipal employee who handled the cylinder, Srinivasa Rao and another person, Babu, had been affected and were rushed to the Government Hospital. Initially nine persons were said to be in a serious condition but later hospital sources said all of them were out of danger and progressing well. Among those affected was the Congress functionary and former M.L.A., Anam Vivekananda Reddy, who was among the first to reach the spot. He, however, recovered by evening and also addressed a press conference.

The Municipal Commissioner, Rami Reddy, the Information Minister, S. Chandramohan Reddy, the district Collector, G. Anantaramu, the Joint Collector, N. Sridhar, the M.P, V. Rajeswaramma and a number of others visited the hospital.

The cylinder was reportedly pressed into service on January 3.

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