Punjab Ammonia Leak: 115 patients still hospitalised

Ludhiana, Jun 14: At least 115 patients, who fell ill after inhaling ammonia gas which leaked from a gas tanker yesterday, are still in hospitals across the district even as authorities assure that the situation is "under control."

G K Singh Dhaliwal, officiating Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, today said that 213 persons were hospitalised after the tragic gas leak in Doraha.

At present, a total of 115 patients are still admitted in 10 different hospitals of the district. The remaining patients have been discharged after their treatment and all the admitted patients in these hospitals are now stable, he said.

"Out of which 23 patients are admitted in Civil Hospital Ludhiana, 23 in Christian Medical College and Hospital, 17 in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, one at Fortis Healthcare Hospital, 23 in SPS Apollo Hospital, one at Civil Hospital Payal, five at Mohan Dai Oswal Hospital, five at Civil Hospital Sahnewal, one at Civil Hospital Khanna and 16 at Ivy Hospital Khanna," Dhaliwal said.

"To make sure the victims get proper treatment and there is no panic like situation, Senior Medical Officers (SMO's) and Duty Magistrates have been deputed for full time in all 14 government-run hospitals of the district till further orders," he said.

Three help desks have also been set up at Doraha, Khanna and Payal, which would be monitored directly by the area SDM's, he said.

The DC urged the area residents not to panic because the situation is "under control" and all the patients in different city hospitals are now stable and would be discharged soon.

He said that the Punjab government would be bearing all expenses incurred on their treatment. Five persons were killed and nearly 200 others fell ill after inhaling ammonia gas which leaked from a gas tanker after it accidentally brushed against a flyover near here, triggering panic in the area.

The incident had occurred when the tanker got stuck under a flyover along a canal on the Doraha Bypass Road, about 25-km from here.

After gas leakage incident at Doraha town of Ludhiana, the District Administration has been working overnight on war-footing, Dhaliwal said. Besides, the health department has started a special medical checkup camp at a Dharamshala (near the Gas leakage spot) in Doraha.

PTI