4 workers die after gas leak at pharma unit in Tarapur MIDC, 2 critical

They were later identified as Kamlesh Yadav, Kalpesh Raut, Dhiraj Prajapati and Bangali Thakur. The two others — Rohan Shinde and Nilesh Hadal — remain in the intensive care unit in critical condition

PALGHAR: Four workers died and two others were left battling for life after a nitrogen gas leak at a pharmaceutical unit in Tarapur MIDC, Palghar district, on Thursday afternoon.

4 workers die after gas leak at pharma unit in Tarapur MIDC, 2 critical

A nitrogen gas leak is extremely dangerous, primarily causing oxygen displacement and leading to asphyxiation (suffocation) by lowering oxygen levels, which can quickly lead to dizziness, loss of consciousness, and death.

The incident occurred between 2.30 pm and 3 pm at Medley Pharmaceuticals’ factory (F-13) in the industrial hub of Boisar, around 130 km from Mumbai. According to police and disaster management officials, nitrogen gas leaked from a reaction tank during the production of Albendazole, a medication used for the treatment of a variety of parasitic worm infections.

After the leak was reported, six workers were suffocated at the site and were rushed to a private hospital in Boisar, where four were declared dead upon arrival. They were later identified as Kamlesh Yadav, Kalpesh Raut, Dhiraj Prajapati and Bangali Thakur. The two others — Rohan Shinde and Nilesh Hadal — remain in the intensive care unit in critical condition.

“The leak led to a rapid reduction of oxygen in the immediate area, causing suffocation. Four workers were declared dead around 6.15 pm,” said Vivekanand Kadam, chief of Palghar district disaster management cell.