Toxic oleum gas leak at chemical unit in Maha forces 2,600 to run for shelter — Watch

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• Oleum gas leak in Palghar forced evacuation of over 2,600 people
• Three people reported minor eye irritation, now under treatment
• NDRF and officials deployed to manage leak and ensure safety

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A major leak of hazardous oleum gas at a chemical plant in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Monday triggered panic and forced the evacuation of more than 2,600 people, including 1,600 school students. Three people reported minor eye irritation, officials said.

The leak occurred around 2 pm at a unit of Bhageria Industries Ltd in the Boisar MIDC area on Mumbai’s outskirts. The escaping oleum, also known as fuming sulphuric acid, formed a thick white cloud that spread rapidly due to strong winds, affecting areas within a five-kilometre radius.

Authorities said the gas leaked from a 2,500-litre capacity oleum day tank. The exact cause was not immediately known.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: An incident of Oleum gas leak occurred in Bhageria Chemicals Company in Tarapur MIDC area in Boisar, Palghar district earlier today.

Palghar SP Yatish Deshmukh says that Palghar Police, NDRF team, officials of the company are still at the leakage site. The… pic.twitter.com/6lGtDCWStB — ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2026

Palghar District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar said the district disaster management plan was activated immediately after the incident. As a precaution, 1,600 students from Tarapur Vidyamandir were evacuated. More than 1,000 workers from the company and nearby industrial units were also moved to safety.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and other emergency services initially struggled to reach the source due to high smoke concentration. Chemical experts and NDRF personnel later entered the premises using self-contained breathing apparatus and deployed sandbags around the leaking tank to suppress the fumes.

At least three people complained of minor eye irritation and are undergoing treatment at hospitals.

District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh urged residents not to panic, while the collector appealed to citizens to remain indoors and avoid rumours. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with all concerned departments.