AMMONIA LEAK IN CHITTOOR, 14 HOSPITALISED

At least 14 people fell ill after inhaling gas emanating from ammonia liquid that leaked in a milk processing factory at Bandalapalli village in Gudipala mandal of Chittoor district Thursday night.

According to officials, the incident happened at Hatsun Dairy factory, when ammonia liquid leaked from a tank within its premises.

There were about 20-40 employees in the factory at the time of the incident. Among them, 14 fell unconscious and were immediately shifted to hospitals in Chittoor and Gudipala.

The condition of them has now stabilised, said the officials.

The pungent smell emanating from the factory sparked panic among people in the surrounding localities and they started running to safer locations. District officials rushed ambulances to the spot to rescue workers.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, District Collector Narayan Bharat Gupta said that they have taken up all safety measures to contain the leakage of the ammonia.

“Officials were pressed into service to take up relief operations on a war-footing. We have ordered an enquiry and will take appropriate action based on the report given by the enquiry committee,” Gupta said.

“The leakage was confined to the factory premises and it has not spread outside. There is no need for people to get panicky. The condition of 14 staffers of the factory is currently stable and the situation is under control,” he added.