6 die, 140 complain of breathing problem as liquified ammonia leaks from tanker near Ludhiana, India

June 13, 2015

At least five people were killed and more than 140 injured when a gas tanker carrying liquified ammonia got stuck under the Doraha flyover late on Friday, leading to gas leakage.

The incident took place around 11 pm on Friday when the unidentified driver, who is still absconding, tried to drive through from under the flyover but the tanker was taller in height. Instead of taking a U-turn, he continued to push through, breaking the tanker nozzle in the process.



While many commuters, pedestrians and people living in nearby colonies fainted, others complained of eye irritation, breathlessness, swollen throats and choked voices.


In severe cases, people bled from nose and mouth. Soon, the administration rushed fire brigades from Khanna, Samrala, Ludhiana, Doraha and nearby stations to the spot and water was used to suppress the effect of ammonia.



Since the filing of this report – the four deceased were identified as Satpal Kumar, 62 resident of Doraha; Rahul, 35, native of Bihar working in Doraha; Avtejinder Singh, 25 from Jalandhar; and Ranjodh Singh, in his thirties from village Doraha. The fifth dead body at SPS Hospital was still unidentified.


Speaking to Indian Express, Gurpreet Singh Gill, SSP Khanna said, “As per the probe till now, tanker was travelling from Gujarat to Nangal. It is owned by Agrawal’s, who own some 300 tankers in Gujarat. The driver should have taken a U-turn and moved from other way meant for taller vehicles instead of forcefully trying to pass underneath flyover. We have registered case under section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against unidentified driver.”



DSP Payal Harjinder Singh Gill, accompanied by the fire rescue team from Samrala led by fire officer Yashpal, was first to reach the spot. Gill also got unconscious while leading the rescue operations and had to be admitted to IVY Hospital Khanna from where he was referred to Fortis.


Carrying almost 2,200 tons of ammonia, the tanker was moved from the flyover to a vacant plot at around 6 am near Deep Nagar village outside Doraha after the leakage was controlled.


 
Satpal’s son Vineet saved so many residents but lost his father who died saving his employees after ammonia gas leak from tanker at Doraha near Ludhiana
Source:http://indianexpress.com