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.
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."
"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.