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Bengal

Chlorine gas leak: Expired gas cylinders used at factory

Kolkata: A day after around 50 people fell ill due to the leakage of chlorine gas inside Sandip Industries Ltd in Howrah's Ghushuri,
police have come to know through investigation that expired gas cylinders were being used at the factory.
Some of the employees of the factory made shocking revelation to
police saying that they brought it to the notice of the factory owners but no step was taken.
They also alleged that there had been a slight leakage of gas from the cylinders in the past two days. They alleged that these expired cylinders were illegally used at the factory for cutting of scrap iron.
Even on Tuesday, there was a pungent smell while many had felt a burning sensation in their eyes. Some officials of the health department and labour department visited the spot to examine the situation.
It may be mentioned that the owners Sandip Agarwal and his father
Laxmi Agarwal have been absconding since the incident took place.
Police are searching them. The incident also triggered some environmental issues as the gas cylinder was thrown into the Hooghly River affecting the plants and animals underwater.
Environmental activist Subhas Dutta threatened to file a legal suit against those who threw the leaked cylinder into the river.
Among the 50 people who fell ill after inhaling the gas and were admitted to T L Jiaswal Hospital for treatment, some were shifted
to city hospitals on Monday night as their condition deteriorated.
Police and fire officials have started a detailed probe in this regard.
According to a senior fire department official, stringent action will be taken against the owners if they were found guilty in the course of investigation.
Following the incident of gas leakage, police and fire officials rushed to the spot. They threw the cylinder into the River Hooghly as a result of which its water turned yellow due to
chemical reaction.
Police have already interrogated some of the employees of the factory who were present at the spot at the time of the incident.

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