VISAKHAPATNAM: About 200 women workers in Atchutapuram SEZ here fell sick on Friday evening following a leak of ammonia gas from a nearby industrial unit. Panic and confusion prevailed as workers began vomiting and gasping for breath.
About two dozen ambulances rushed in to shift the affected to hospitals. The mishap comes close on the heels of a fire accident in an industrial unit earlier this week in the port city.
The police said about 200 women complained of severe nausea, vomiting and breathlessness after they inhaled ammonia. The affected were shifted to various hospitals for emergency medical care. Officials suspect that the gas leaked from Porus industries, which is at a little distance away from the SEZ.
Condition of affected workers stable
Most of the victims are from Anakapalli, Chodavaram, and Rambilli areas. The condition of the affected workers is said to be stable. Doctors said there is no cause for worry.
The police said the leak occurred at around 2.15 pm. The situation was brought under control by fire fighting personnel who sprayed water to reduce the impact of the dense fumes.
Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered a probe into the incident. He directed officials to provide better treatment to the affected. Jagan asked authorities to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He directed minister for industries Gudivada Amarnath to visit the accident site.
Amarnath told media that most of the affected were discharged from hospitals. He said eight people are undergoing treatment in KGH. All companies in the vicinity of Porus industries cancelled the second shift.
"We are verifying if the gas leaked from Porus industries. We have already initiated an inquiry. As many as 15 specialists were deployed to NTR hospital in Anakapalli where many of the affected were admitted," the minister said.
The police said many women workers of Seeds Company in Brandix SEZ complained of vomiting and headache. Around 20 ambulances shifted the victims to hospitals in Yalamanchili and Anakapalli. Anakapalli district collector Ravi Pattansetty supervised rescue and relief operations.
