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Gas leak in Giaspura factory renders 5 people unconscious
The incident took place at around 7am when liquid carbon dioxide was being transferred from a tanker, a major tragedy was averted as the workers quickly closed the valve and released oxygen
Police and the district administration swung into action after receiving the information, while the fire brigaJde and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also reached the spot soon after.
The five factory workers who lost consciousness in the aftermath — Dinesh Kumar, Kundan, Mohammad Sehjan, Sunny and Dahor Rai have been shifted to Civil Hospital, where their condition has been stated as stable.
Additional deputy commissioner (ADC, general) Rahul Chhaba, who also reached the spot after the incident, said a tanker containing liquid carbon dioxide gas reached Weltech Equipment and Infrastructure unit in Giaspura — which produces industrial medical gases.
“The gas leaked from the container at 7 am while the tank was being moved to the storage. The gas formed a thick layer in the air and minimised the visibility. The factory workers including the truck driver, escaped. Five workers of adjoining factory Gaurav Knitwears fainted after they exhaled the gas,” said the ADC.
Soon after the leak, however, a factory worker closed the valve of the carbon dioxide cylinder and released oxygen to cancel out the effect.
“Factory foreman Dinesh Chandar exhibited presence of mind in closing the valve and also used the oxygen cylinders to release the gas from another tanker parked nearby.” the ADC added.
Gagandeep Singh, owner of the factory, said the liquid carbon dioxide gas had arrived from a plant in Tarn Taran. The driver mistakenly opened the wrong valve, which resulted in the gas leak. He added that it was the workers who managed to bring the situation under control.
Ludhiana deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik has since formed a three-member committee — comprising sub-divisional magistrate (SDM, West), general manager, department of industries and commerce and deputy director (factories) to probe the incident.
Assistant commissioner of police (ACP, south) Vaibhav Sehgal, meanwhile, said they are waiting for the report of the team investigating the matter and will take required action after it is filed.
Foreman saves the day
Foreman Dinesh Chandar’s quick thinking in the tense situation helped avert a major tragedy.
Chandar rushed to the spot soon after being informed about the leak by the factory workers and after covering his face with a piece of cloth drenched in water, headed towards the truck carrying the liquid carbon dioxide tank.
The foreman closed the valve, plugging the leak before heading to another truck parked at the unit carrying oxygen tanks. He then pushed open the valve, releasing oxygen into the air in a bid to cancel out the effect of the leaked liquid carbon dioxide.
The fire brigade later arrived at the factory unit and brought the situation under control.
Thick layer of smoke engulfed us in no time: Factory worker
Factory workers who lost consciousness after the gas leak, narrating their ordeal, said they heard a loud sound akin to one of jet aircrafts flying close to the skyline and within a matter of seconds, a thick layer of smoke had engulfed the unit.
Dinesh Kumar, a labourer working at the unit, said the thick smoke brought down the visibility in the area to nearly zero, adding “We panicked and tried to escape from the building. However, we fainted on the way.”
“I was breathless and my throat dried up from the effect of the gas. I was struggling to breathe. The rescue teams turned up at the spot soon after and rushed us to the hospital,” he added.
Dahor Rai, another labourer, said five labourers were present at the unit when the leak occurred. All of them were rushed to the hospital.
Recounting the event, Kamlesh, a tea vendor near the factory, said that he saw clouds of gas engulfing the building in no time.
There was traffic in the area, with workers heading to the factory units. Students, meanwhile, were also headed to school at the time.
Police teams soon reached the spot and stopped vehicular traffic on the road.
