Three sick in chlorine gas leak

Kolkata, May 3 (UNI) Five persons fell sick when chlorine gas leaked from the tanks of a closed pumping station at Mullickghat, the biggest flower market in the country, triggering widespread panic this morning.

Three fire engines and police struggled for more than two hours before plugging the leakage in two tanks and to bring the situation under control.

The victims--three corporation employees and two firemen--were admitted to hospital, official sources said.

The incident occurred when the noxious chlorine gas, which was used for purification of drinking water, started leaking from two tanks causing uneasiness to the local people.

Business in the flower market was suspended as the people fled to a safer distance.

Fire tenders and police arrived the spot, but were at a loss initially to cope with the situation. Later, they managed to go close to the tanks by wearing gas masks and plugged the leakage.

The sources said the pumping station was closed down about ten years ago, but chlorine gas was still stored in all the three tanks.

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