Collector orders probe into suspected ammonia gas leak

Kochi, May 11 (UNI) Ernakulam District Collector A P M Mohammed Hanish today ordered a probe by Pollution Control Board and Department of Factories and Boilers into the suspected ammonia gas leak at Irumpanam near here last night.

The decision was taken after a crisis management meeting of the district administration to review the situation after three people were hospitalised and at least 100 people shifted to relief camp following the gas leakage.

'' The probe will find out whether there was an ammonia leak, if so, the source of the leakage,'' Mr Hanish said.

The report, to be filed within three days, would be reviewd by experts at IIT Madras and the Cochin University before it was handed over to the state government, he added.

The meeting also decided to conduct a free medical camp for those affected by the gas leak and organise an awareness camp on the precautions to be taken in case similar incidents occurred.

City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham also gave direction to the industries in the area to conduct security drills in the next 14 days.

Last night, three people were hospitalised after complaining of nausea and breathlessness following the suspected ammonia gas leakage At least 100 people from the Karshaka Colony and Bhaskaran Colony were shifted to a relief camp set up by the district administration as people panicked after the foul odour, which was first noticed around 2000 hrs, intensified.

The source of the leakage could not be ascertained immediately.

There was speculation that the gas leaked from a subsidiary storage plant of FACT.

However, FACT authorities said the chances for leakage from the plant was minimal as it had been shut down for the past few days.

UNI