On 6 January 2022, at least six people died and 22 people became sick following gas leak from a tanker in an industrial area in Sachin, Surat, Gujarat, India.[1][2]

Incident and rescue

Around 4:25 am IST on 6 January 2022, the gas leaked from a tanker parked in Sachin GIDC, an industrial area. It was reported that the driver of the tanker was illegally dumping the chemical waste in the drain which resulted in the gas leak. The driver fled. The labourers sleeping in nearby textile mill and outside were affected. They fell unconscious following inhaling the leaked gas and were admitted in the New Civil Hospital in Surat. At least six people died and 22 people were hospitalised. Two stray dogs also died. The fire brigade sealed the tanker.[3][1][4][5][6] The leaked chemical was identified as sodium hydrosulphite.[7] The people from the area were evacuated as a precaution.[4]

Relief

The government of Gujarat paid an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh (US$5,000) while the textile mill owner where the labourers worked paid ₹2 lakh (US$2,500) to the next of kin of each person who died.[6]

Investigation

The initial investigation revealed that the chemical was purchased from Hikal Ltd, a pharma-chemical factory from Taloja in Maharashtra on pretext of selling it to another company and then was illegally dump in Surat by the accused.[7] An FIR was also register against the managing director of the Hikal Ltd and other officials.[8] Eleven people were arrested by state police.[9] Later the case was transferred to the crime branch which had arrested 13 people by April 2022 and five people were absconding.[6][10]

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notice to the Gujarat Pollution Control Board.[9] The NGT constituted nine member committee for investigation.[11] The report from committee was accepted in March 2023.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Gujarat: At least 6 dead, 20 sick after gas leak at industrial area in Surat". The Indian Express. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  2. ↑ "4 accused arrested in Surat gas leak case, 6 people died". News Track. 2022-01-08. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  3. ↑ "Chemical tanker leaks in Surat: Six dead, 22 hospitalised after inhaling toxic chemical fumes". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  4. 1 2 "Surat: Six workers killed in chemical tanker leak". Hindustan Times. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  5. ↑ "Six die, 29 sick as gas leaks from tanker in Surat". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  6. 1 2 3 "Surat gas leak: Compensation of Rs 6 lakh handed over to kin of six victims". The Indian Express. 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  7. 1 2 "Surat gas leak: Four accused arrested". The Times of India. 2022-01-08. Archived from the original on 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  8. ↑ "Surat gas leak: Bombay High Court grants transit pre-arrest bail to pharma company MD till Feb 1". The Indian Express. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  9. 1 2 "Sachin GIDC Gas Leak Case: NGT Issues Notice To GPCB". The Times of India. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  10. ↑ "Surat gas leak Tragedy: Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm MD arrested, released on bail". The Indian Express. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  11. ↑ "Surat Gas leak: NGT constitutes 9-member joint Committee". ANI News. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  12. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-03-25). "Surat gas leak case: NGT upholds compensation for victims". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-04-08.

21°05′24″N 72°51′22″E / 21.090°N 72.856°E / 21.090; 72.856

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