Andhra Pradesh | 121 Fall Sick After Gas Leak In Achutapuram District, Seeds Company Closed

Samples from the factory have been sent to Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Secunderabad for examination by the pollution control board.

Andhra Pradesh factory gas leak

As many as 121 people have been receiving medical treatment at various hospitals in Andhra Pradesh after a suspected gas leak at an apparel manufacturing unit in the Brandix Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Achutapuram districton Tuesday. According to news agency ANI,  the seeds company has been closed by the government till the time investigation concludes.

"121 workers affected, being treated in various hospitals. The seeds company where a second-time gas leakage was reported in 2 months has been closed till the time investigation concludes. Cause of the incident to be ascertained," said state minister G Amaranth as reported by ANI.

Visakhapatnam, AP | 121 workers affected, being treated in various hospitals. The seeds company where a second-time gas leakage was reported in 2 months has been closed till the time investigation concludes. Cause of the incident to be ascertained: State minister G Amaranth

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2022

According to initial diagnosis by experts, a gas called chlorpyrifos leaked from the factory causing 121 people to fall sick, reported ABP news. A high level committee has been constituted to check for violation of safety standards in the industry.

Minister G Amarnadt visited the people admitted to hospitals and inquired about their health.

Due to the leakage many patients complained about difficulty in breathing, nausea, and vomiting after which they were immediately taken to various hospitals in the district.

The gas leak was reported at a seeds garment manufacturing company in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Achutapuram area. This was the second such incident in two months.

No causalities have been reported so far and the victims are in stable condition.

Samples from the factory have been sent to Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Secunderabad for examination by the pollution control board.

In a similar incident in June, 178 women workers had fallen ill after a gas leak at a laboratory in the Atchutapuram district.  Following the incident, the Andhra Pradesh government set up a joint committee to ascertain the cause of the gas leak. They suspected leakage from the air conditioner unit of the factory.