Cuttack: At least 40 people were affected by chlorine which leaked from a pump house on the campus of SCB Medical College and Hospital here Wednesday, officials said.
Those who came in contact with the gas, including patients and attendants inside the hospital, experienced nausea, chest pain and vomiting. Many of them are hospitalised and are undergoing treatment. The condition of three is believed to be serious. They have been shifted to ICU, hospital sources said.
Cuttack Collector Sushant Mohapatra, who rushed to the hospital after the mishap, said all those who became ill due to the gas leak were admitted to hospital and that 25 of them were later discharged.
“An enquiry will be conducted to find the cause of the gas leak,” Mohapatra said adding that chlorine was stored for water purification.
Fire brigade personnel, who rushed to stop the gas leak, said at least three gas-filled cylinders were kept inside the pump house and the compressed gas leaked from a damaged cylinder. The damaged cylinder was immediately removed to a deserted place in a nearby river islet.
PNN
