Hundreds take ill in gas leak in MP

Bhopal, Oct 14 (UNI) At least two hundred people were taken ill in about three villages along the borders of Bhopal and Raisen districts after inhaling an unknown gas.

Many of those affected have been admitted to various hospitals in the two districts.

Bhopal Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Saxena told UNI that police vehicles were immidiately pressed into servive to transfer the affected people here.

According to official sources, villagers from Kirathnagar, Mendua and Nayapura villages near Mandidip industrial area in Raisen district were hospitalised with complaints of irritation in eyes and nausea due to a reported gas leak from a plant in the industrial area.

However, neither the nature of the gas nor its source had been identified as yet.

Meanwhile, all the three villages had been evacuated as a precautionary measure, Raisen district collector informed.

The administration has started running checks on the factories. A team of doctors and environment experts have also rushed to the spot.

Investigations were on, sources said.

UNI PRT YA LS RN2339