Gas leak at chemical factory in Thane, locals complain of breathing difficulties

A gas leak incident caused a wave of panic in Ambernath, Thane district, late on Thursday night when a chemical company experienced an uncontrolled gas venting, a PTI report says.

The report also added that the incident caused alarm among local residents, who reported symptoms like eye irritation and difficulty breathing. A thick haze enveloped the vicinity, leading to smog-like conditions in the Morivali MIDC area of Ambernath town, located on the outskirts of Mumbai, around 11 pm. This unsettling atmosphere sparked widespread concern among the community, leading to numerous calls to the authorities.

Responding swiftly, the fire brigade officials and local disaster management teams reached the spot to assess and mitigate the situation. Yasin Tadvi, the Chief of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), assured the public that the situation was under control, and fortunately, no injuries or hospitalisations had been reported. Despite the unsettling events, the prompt actions of the officials helped to manage the crisis effectively, preventing it from escalating further.

Upon investigating the source of the gas leak, it was traced back to a chemical factory in the industrial zone. Officials revealed that the leak was due to a phosphorous-based chemical, which released a dense white smoke that quickly spread through the area. This chemical reaction not only caused the haze but also contributed to the health complaints from the residents.

In response to the hazard, local firefighters advised residents to stay indoors as a safety measure to avoid exposure to the toxic smoke. Meanwhile, the fire brigade worked to contain the spread of the gas and clear the air, ensuring that the community was not put at further risk. The manufacturing activities at the factory responsible for the leak were immediately halted as a precautionary step, pending further investigation into the cause of the incident.

As the investigation continues, authorities will likely scrutinise the factory's safety measures and compliance with environmental regulations to prevent such incidents from reoccurring in the future.

(With PTI and ANI inputs)