Panic-stricken students, teachers run out of school after gas leak

"As I reached school, my eyes started watering. While I rubbed my eyes, I saw many of my friends began doing the same. Soon, my throat and skin also started itching.

Then I knew something was serious and I complained to my teachers. Some of my friends had also fainted," said 15-year-old Rupa, a student of Rani Jhansi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya.

Rupa was among the nearly 450 girls, who were admitted to different hospitals across the city after a chemical gas leakage from a container place near the school. Rupa was admitted to Majeedia Hospital.

When Millennium Post visited the hospital, a number of parents were seen having accompanied their daughters.

All the affected students were given treatment after they showed signs of nausea, irritation in eyes, skin and throat, all repercussions of a suspected leakage of Chloromethyl Pyridine – a chemical used to produce insecticides and pesticides – near the customs area of Tughlaqabad depot.

As the doctors treated the girls and teachers rushing into the hospital, the ambulances kept bringing more students at a faster pace.

"I reached home after my eyes started hurting. My mother washed all my clothes immediately when I told her that all students in my school were back and there is some gas leakage," said Pinki, a Class IX student of Government Senior Secondary School, another school whose students were affected by the gas leakage.

Guddi, who works in Ballabhgarh as a tailor, rushed to Majeedia hospital as soon she was informed that her daughter had been admitted after a gas leak near her school.

"My husband is paralysed and so I rushed back to see what happened. I am scared now. Whosoever is responsible should be bought to the book," she said.

A group of teachers in the school were also affected but were soon discharged after primary treatment."We got to know that it (the leak) is serious during the morning prayer. We closed the school and sent the students home. I have filed a complaint with the police," said Manisha Vyas, principal of Rani Jhansi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya.

During the course of day, 475 students were initially admitted to hospital. Many of the affected students were discharged after initial treatment.