A chlorine gas leak from a cylinder at an abandoned storage facility near Gangadham Chowk in Pune resulted in the hospitalisation of 24 individuals in the early hours of Thursday, including four children and two firefighters. The leak was first reported around 12:50 am from a closed premises, where local residents started experiencing symptoms such as throat and nasal irritation, breathing difficulties, and general discomfort, prompting emergency services to be alerted.

Response and Containment Efforts

Fire Officer Sunil Naiknavare led the fire brigade teams, who quickly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. They discovered that the suspected leak originated from a cylinder containing chlorine gas inside the facility, which had previously been operated by a company focused on water purification. Fire brigade officer Bhilare reported, “We found out that a gas storage capsule for chlorine had a leak.” As a precautionary measure, residents living in close proximity to the site, who were exposed to chlorine, were transported to the government-run Sassoon Hospital via ambulances.

According to official reports, the leak was traced back to an abandoned tank containing chlorine at a non-operational water purification plant around 1 am. Following the incident, multiple residents in the neighbourhood indicated they were experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness. Fire teams commenced evacuations of affected individuals and utilized safety equipment to seal the leaking tank.

During the containment process, a total of 22 residents and two firefighters reported symptoms of breathlessness and were subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment. The exposure to chlorine gas amongst the firefighters necessitated further medical evaluation. Fire officials later confirmed that all individuals affected by the incident were in stable condition and remained under medical observation at Sassoon General Hospital.

Investigation and Future Precautions

A man who was previously involved with the operation of the water purification facility stated he had dismantled the unit; however, the chlorine tank appeared to have been left unattended, eventually leading to the leak. Firefighters employed specialised breathing apparatus to ensure safety while handling the situation. The leak was ultimately contained by using a chemical neutralisation process involving caustic soda.

The rescue and containment operation was supervised by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who established a coordinated response to manage the incident. Following this occurrence, local police authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain the legality of operations at the storage facility and the status of safety measures in place.

This incident raises concerns regarding safety protocols surrounding defunct facilities that continue to house hazardous materials. The local community has been alerted to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activations or leaks in the future. Emergency services remain on standby to ensure the safety of residents in the area, reflecting a commitment to public health and safety during such incidents.

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