At least 9 dead, 11 hospitalised in a gas leak incident at a factory in Ludhiana

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At least nine people have died and 11 hospitalised after a gas leak occurred at a factory in Ludhiana. Several others suffered from respiratory problems and other health issues.

The incident took place in a factory located in the Giaspura industrial area. The gas leak was first noticed around 7.15 am.

ANI reported that locals in the Giaspura experienced breathing difficulties and the bodies of the deceased turned blue. Two men, four women and two children were brought dead to the civil hospital. Shambhu Narayan, resident of Jamalpur, lost five members of his family -- his 40-year-old nephew Kabilash Kumar, his wife Barsha Devi and three children --  Kalpana, 20, Abhay Narayan, 12, and Aryan, 9.

The area has been cordoned off while a fire brigade, ambulances, and a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed.  Ludhiana Police Commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu confirmed the nine deaths.

Three establishments affected by the leak were Goyal cold drink, Kamal Kiryana and Arti clinic.

Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Surabhi Malik said that it is being investigated whether chemicals reacted in manholes and led to the toxic fumes spreading in the area. She confirmed that samples collected from manholes in the area has been sent for investigation.

"The NDRF is extracting samples from manholes for various kinds of chemical test then we will get more information if possible cause. The gas has been diluted but MC teams, PPCB teams are working to check if any more such chemical reactions are there in the vicinity," she said.

Civil Surgeon Ludhiana, Dr. Hatinder Kaur suspects that neurotoxins led to the fatalities.  "As per the medical examination till now the deaths were not caused by suffocation but by the gas's harmful effect on the nervous system of the victims," she said.