The Hindu : Front Page : Gas leak triggers panic near Thripunithura

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Friday, May 11, 2007
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Gas leak triggers panic near Thripunithura

Staff Reporter

Three persons hospitalised, 100 in relief camp

TO SAFETY: People being shifted to a relief camp opened at the Government Boy's High School, Thripunithura, following a gas leak on Thursday night. — Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: Hundreds of people were shifted to safer locations after a gas leak spread panic at Irumpanam and surrounding areas, near Thripunithura, on Thursday night. More than 100 people were taken to a relief camp opened at the Government Boy's High School, Thripunithura, after they complained of uneasiness.

Three persons were admitted to the Government hospital in Thripunitura. Hospital authorities said that their condition was stable. The source of the leak has not been detected. Though reports suggested that it could have been from Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore, Cochin Division, company officials rejected the rumour, saying that its ammonia plant was not in operation.

The gas leak was first experienced at around 7.30 p.m. In the beginning, the odour was faint, but it become intense by around 8 p.m., triggering doubts of a serious leak.

Several families of Laksham colony, Karshaka colony and Bhaskaran colony, near Irumpanam, got nausea and breathing difficulties.

Prince, who runs a CD shop at Irumpanam, said that he told his family to leave the place immediately. "The children could not bear the smell. While my wife and children left the place, I remained at home," he said.

Rajappan, a resident of Bhaskaran colony, said that his children developed nausea and vomiting following the leak. "Though we have been experiencing such smell, this time, it was really tough. Many had the feeling that the situation might go out of control," he said.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said the situation was under control. He said that the administration would keep a close vigil in the affected areas. More people would be shifted to safer locations in case of an emergency, he said.

City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham said that fire tenders and police personnel had been pressed into service to tackle the situation.

Tension

Tension prevailed in Irumpanam during the initial stages of the gas leak after residents complained that the police and district authorities reached late at the affected sites.

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