Chlorine gas leak affects scores in Mumbai

Chlorine gas leaking from cylinders stored near a warehouse owned by the Mumbai Port Trust in Sewri has affected scores of people, including several students of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nautical Training Institute, and several people have been admitted to nearby hospitals.

The gas leaked from one of the cylinders kept at the Hay Bandar area of Mumbai Port Trust. These cylinders were kept in that area, which has been used to store hazardous goods for the past few years.

Several people are under observation in the cardiac intensive care units of JJ and BPT hospitals and one unconfirmed report also said the leak has so far claimed three lives.

Those affected have been admitted to three Mumbai hospitals - Port Trust Hospital, JJ Hospital and KEM Hospital - where they are receiving medical attention.

The gas leak was identified around 3 am today and the Fire Brigade has pressed into service four fire fighters for the rescue operations.

Chlorine, which is used as a common disinfectant and in water treatment to prevent communicable diseases like cholera and typhoid, has also applications in industries like textiles, printing, plastics and pharmaceuticals.