Six labourers lose eyesight, 27 injured in mishap

Rampur, May 15 (UNI) Eyesight of at least 27 labourers was affected, after poisonous chemical fell on them in Swartanda area here today.

A tank carrying chemical had fallen into a pit in Swartanda area a month ago. The mishap resulted in leakage in the tank.

Later, the tank was removed from the site, but the chemical was not washed off and it remained in the pit, SP Vir Bahadur Singh said.

The negligence gave birth to another mishap today, where six labourers lost their eyesight and 27 others suffered serious cornea injury.

About 31 people were in the ill-fated van, which lost balance over the wheels and overturned in the pit at Danda-Kanpur road.

The injured were admitted to Bajpur premilary health centre, where 12 critically injured were referred to Haldwani medical centre.

Six of the 12 will be sent to AIIMS in New Delhi tomorrow, where their cornia will be replaced, Mr Singh said.

A case was registered against the driver, who fled the scene, however, search is on to nab him, he said.

The chemical was yet to be identified, he added.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party blocked Rampur-Nainital highway to protest the incident.

Blockade could only be lifted after the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police assured them of stringent action against the guilty, he added.

UNI PDM AM KN1911