LUDHIANA: In a tragic incident, 11 people lost their lives and 4 more were injured because of the inhalation of toxic gas. The incident took place in the Giaspura neighbourhood of Ludhiana on the morning of Sunday. 10 out of the 11 victims belonged to three families from Bihar who have been residing in Punjab for over 20 years and the remaining person was yet to be identified.
Local people found dead bodies lying on the road near a milk booth at around 7 AM on Sunday. A local person had mentioned that the booth opens early and nearby people visit the same to purchase milk. He mentioned that one person fall unconscious and his body gradually turned blue. Those who came to his rescue also collapsed according to the bystanders who thought electrical shock to be the reason and that the people died within seconds.
Two police personnel, who were the first responders, also reported breathing problems and one of them fall unconscious and was immediately shifted to a medical facility. Members of the NDRF and the fire brigade rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Members of the district administration, local municipality, Punjab Pollution Control Board and state police officials also reached the locality.
The state police have registered an FIR regarding the incident and have initiated an investigation regarding the matter. “The police have scanned CCTVs installed near the spot from where the poisonous gas leaked, however nothing suspicious is captured there. More CCTVs installed at different locations of the area are being scanned now to find the culprits,” mentioned the police commissioner.
Meanwhile, the police have initiated a probe against an ‘organised gang’ active in the region that picks effluents from the factories and illegally discharges the same in the sewage system. The police commissioner of Ludhiana also held, “irresponsible persons who poured their chemicals in the MC sewer manhole” responsible for the tragedy.
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