State Bureau, Kolkata: At least 25 villagers, including children and women, fell ill after ammonia gas leaked from an ice factory in Shapukur area of Hadowa police station area in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Sunday night.
The incident is reported to have occurred around 9:30 pm. The ammonia gas spread, creating panic and chaos in the area. The affected people were immediately admitted to the Hadova Rural Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.
As per locals, the ammonia gas leak took place on Sunday evening. Within a short time, the gas spread throughout the surrounding area with many villagers experiencing breathing problems.
Upon receiving information about the incident, police from the Hadova police station and a fire brigade arrived at the scene. The gas leak was brought under control and an investigation into its cause was launched.
Following the incident, local residents expressed widespread anger against the factory management. Villagers protested by blocking the Bedachampa-Hadowa road and burning tires on the road, demanding the factory's closure.
Protesters said the factory is experiencing repeated gas leaks, endangering the lives of residents living nearby. Locals have demanded the factory's closure to prevent future incidents.
In another news, at least 40 people were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak at a water purification plant in Nagpur district during the early hours of Monday. The leak occurred at a facility near Collector’s Colony, exposing residents in surrounding neighbourhoods to the gas.