Six Dead and Several Hospitalized in Ammonia Gas Tanker Leak in Punjab

Six people were killed and several others were forced to seek treatment as an ammonia gas tanker leaked in Punjab, India. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team arrived at the spot soon after the incident.

The leak occurred when the tanker got stuck under a flyover on the Doraha Bypass Road along a canal, about 25 kilometers from Ludhiana. Valves atop the tanker were damaged as the driver tried to pass under the bridge and the ammonia began leaking.

Within minutes, ammonia spread through the air in a five-kilometer radius, causing major and minor injuries to the respiratory tracts, eyes and skin of people living in the area.

Soon after, the district administration sprang into action and ambulances and fire tenders from across Ludhiana district were sent to the spot. Water was poured on the tanker and around it to reduce the impact of the ammonia gas.

The villagers have been evacuated from the gas leak site. The leak also killed plants and animals at the spot.

Source: ANI