Two workers were killed and three others injured in an explosion at a tiles factory in Sri Kalahasti on Wednesday, police said, reported the PTI.
Sri Kalahasti Sub-Divisional Police Officer Narasimha Murthy said that the large tanker, intended for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), exploded at around 11.30 am while it was being tested for leaks using nitrogen gas.
“Two workers died, and three people were injured when the tanker exploded. The blast occurred while nitrogen gas was being passed to check for leaks,” Murthy told PTI.
Police said the two deceased workers suffered head injuries, and a case is in the process of being registered.
Meanwhile, in an another incident, one person died and 10 others were shifted to a hospital after a chlorine gas leak on Tuesday in Vasai area of Palghar district in Maharashtra, officials said.
The incident took place at around 3.30 pm near a crematorium in the Sun City area of Diwanman, officials said.
According to Vivekanand Kadam, head of Palghar’s disaster management cell, the gas leaked from an expired chlorine cylinder. A fire brigade team from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) rushed to the scene as soon as they were informed and began emergency work, reported the PTI.
One man, identified as Dev Kantilal Pardiwal, lost his life. Ten people—including five fire brigade staff—felt unwell after inhaling the gas and were admitted to a nearby hospital, as per the PTI.
Those affected include Sun City fire station officer Vijay Rane, drivers Sachin More and Pramod Patil, and firemen Kalpesh Patil and Kunal Patil.
Firefighters managed to bring the situation under control by spraying large amounts of water on the leaking cylinder and later pushing it into a pond to reduce the effects of the gas.
Zonal DCP of Mira Bhayandar Vasai-Virar, Pournima Chougule-Shringi told the ANI that the police received a call about the leak.
She said that the leak happened near a government water tank where municipal workers were carrying out cleaning work. During the process, they accidentally struck a chlorine tank, causing the gas to spread through the area.
According to the DCP, some people were admitted to hospital, and one person died. She added that the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, and the final reason will be known only after the post-mortem report.
She also confirmed that the situation is now under control, the injured are receiving proper treatment, and an inquiry is underway.
(with PTI inputs)