11 Dead In Gas Leak Incident In Punjab's Ludhiana, NDRF Team Collects Samples As Area Cordoned Off

9 people died while 11 were hospitalised in an incident of gas leak reported in the Giaspura area of Punjab's Ludhiana

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and police personnel at the site after a gas leak incident in the Giaspura area, in Ludhiana district, Sunday, April 30, 2023.

An incident of gas leak was reported in the Giaspura area of Punjab's Ludhiana on Sunday. A senior official said that 11 people died in this incident and several others were hospitalised. Local administration, Police officials, and a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were present at the spot. Police said that the casualties comprise five females and six males. Two boys aged 10 and 13 are among the 11 who died in the incident, they said, as per news agency PTI. 

"11 deaths confirmed till now... In all likelihood, there is some gas contamination which has happened...It is quite likely that maybe some chemical reacted with methane in manholes... All of this is being verified. NDRF is retrieving samples..," Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik told news agency ANI.

Earlier the death toll was reported to be nine while 11 persons were hospitalised.

"Definitely, it is a gas leak case. The NDRF team is present at the spot to evacuate the people and will conduct the rescue operation. 9 people died in this incident and 11 are sick," Swati Tiwana, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Ludhiana West said, earlier in the day.

#WATCH | Punjab: Nine dead, 11 hospitalised in an incident of gas leak in Giaspura area of Ludhiana. Visuals from the spot as local administration and medical team reach the spot.

Local officials say that the area has been cordoned off. pic.twitter.com/moDPTVG8XS

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2023

#WATCH | Punjab: NDRF personnel reach the spot in Giaspura area of Ludhiana where a gas leak claimed 9 lives; 11 others are hospitalised.

Local officials say that the area has been cordoned off. pic.twitter.com/BuxUEb8SCq

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2023

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed grief over the incident and tweeted: "Police, Administration and NDRF teams are present at the spot. All possible help is being extended to the affected."

ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਗਿਆਸਪੁਰਾ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਫ਼ੈਕਟਰੀ ਦੀ ਗੈਸ ਲੀਕ ਦੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਬੇਹੱਦ ਦੁੱਖਦਾਇਕ ਹੈ..ਪੁਲਿਸ, ਪੑਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਅਤੇ NDRF ਟੀਮਾਂ ਮੌਕੇ ‘ਤੇ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਹਨ ..ਹਰ ਸੰਭਵ ਮਦਦ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਈ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ..ਬਾਕੀ ਵੇਰਵੇ ਜਲਦੀ..

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) April 30, 2023

"This was a poisonous gas leak...At least eight people have died. Three of the bodies have turned blue...It is poisonous. You won't be able to breathe..," a local identified as Anjan Kumar, whose family members died in the gas leak, told ANI.

"...I came to know that five members of my family are unconscious," said another local.

Local officials said that the area has been cordoned off.