Ammonia gas leak forces evacuation of students, residents in Kochi

The gas leak occurred in a pipe connected to a lorry when ammonia was being transferred from a plant managed by Fertilisers And Chemicals Travancore in Kochi’s Willingdon Island.

Students of the Central School on Willingdon Island in Kochi as well as residents of the area were evacuated on Saturday after ammonia gas allegedly leaked from a tanker lorry, police said.

Ammonia gas leaked near a plant on Willingdon Island in Kochi. (ANI)

The leak occurred in a pipe connected to the lorry when ammonia was being transferred from a plant managed by Fertilisers And Chemicals Travancore (FACT), officials said.

Police said it was not a major leak. The incident occurred around 1.30pm. The situation was now under control, they said.

Some people, who complained of breathing problems, nausea and irritation in the eyes after the leak, were treated at a health facility of the Cochin Port Trust and all of them were now fine, they said.

Police said the students were immediately evacuated after the wind started blowing in the school’s direction following the leakage. Steps were also taken to evacuate them through a lake, they said.