A gas leak in Punjab’s Ludhiana killed 11 people, including two children, while scores of others have fallen sick due to the incident that took place at around 7.15am on Sunday, April 30th, in Sua Road, near Sherpur Chowk. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been pressed into service after the Ludhiana gas leak incident was reported.
The incident took place in a complex that has residential and commercial spaces. It’s reported that the ground floor of the block has a cold drink store named Goyal Cold Drink, a grocery store named Kamal Kirana, and a medical clinic named Arti Clinic. It’s also reported that a dairy plant of the Goyals who live upstairs is located there.
According to reports, the 11 victims include five women, four men and two children aged 10 and 13 years. It’s reported that Kabilash Kumar (40), his wife Barsha Devi, along with their children aged 22, 13 and 10 were found dead in Arti Clinic.
Saurav Goyal (28), his elder brother Gaurav Goyal, Saurav’s wife Triti Goyal, their mother and Saurav’s eight-month-old baby boy were reportedly found trapped in the gas. While the child is out of danger, Saurav, Triti, and Saurav’s mother have died. Gaurav is reportedly in critical condition.
Ludhiana’s Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik informed the press that they suspect that a neuro-toxic gas has killed the Ludhiana gas leak victims, which was confirmed by Ludhiana’s Civil Surgeon Dr Hatinder Kaur.
Dr Kaur informed the press that the victims of the Ludhiana gas leak didn’t die due to suffocation but after the neuro-toxic gas attacked their nervous system. Malik has informed the press that the NDRF team is collecting samples from the manholes and sewage pipes to test the samples and determine the cause of the gas leak.
The Punjab government has deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to cordon off the area. People living within a 300-metre radius of the incident have reported difficulty in breathing and the administration has deployed teams to attend them.
Malik informed the press that by 11.50am the gas has been diluted by the NDRF team. She also informed that several teams are inspecting the area to check whether any chemical reactions are still there.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his grief and anguish over the Ludhiana gas leak incident. Mann said, “Police, administration and NDRF teams are present at the spot. All possible help is being extended to the affected.”
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