Chemical leaks near schools in south Delhi
Around 475 students fall ill after gas leaks from chemical drums, all safe
NEW DELHI: Noxious fumes leaking from chemical drums imported from China led to around 475 students of two girls schools in south Delhi falling ill on Saturday, with complaints of dizziness and headache. They were rushed to hospital, and most were discharged a few hours later.
Delhi Police has registered a case against “unknown persons” in the matter.
Students of Rani Jhansi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Number 2, in Tughlaqabad area, were entering class after the morning assembly session at around 7.30 am when they felt dizzy with the toxic fumes. Students complained of eye and throat irritation. Around 30 students also fainted.
Their schools are adjacent to the Tughlaqabad container depot.
“A total of 475 students from Classes 6-12 from both the schools were affected by the fumes. They were treated at different hospitals,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya said.
He said the chemical leaked from four drums containing chloro (methyl) phenylsilane, which was imported from China, and was enroute to Sonepat in Haryana. Each drum contained 220 litres of the chemical, which is used in the manufacture of pesticides.
The container, which reached Sonepat later, was being handled by a team of the State Disaster Response Force and a Delhi Police team, Baaniya said.
The Delhi government has launched a magisterial probe into the matter.
Baaniya said that police has registered a case against “unknown persons” under various sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) relating to making the atmosphere noxious to health, endangering life or personal safety of others, causing hurt by act.
“We are investigating to see how the chemical leaked,” Baaniya said.
The affected students were rushed to four nearby hospitals -- Batra Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Majeedia Hospital and ESI Hospital.
“After treatment 406 students were discharged while the rest will be discharged soon,” Baaniya said, adding that 12 students were referred to Safdarjung hospital, who were later discharged.
Delhi Fire Service said it received a distress call about the gas leak and rushed three fire tenders to the spot.
Seventeen ambulances from the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) were also rushed to the schools.