Balasore toxic gas leak: Odisha min orders probe, factory sealed

Balasore: Odisha Labour Minister Sushant Singh has ordered for a probe into the leakage of toxic gas at a prawn processing factory at Panapana in Khantapada area of Odisha’s Balasore district.

More than 100 persons working at the factory fell ill and were hospitalised after the leakage last evening. The minster, who visited the District Headquarters Hospital where the victims are undergoing treatment, said stringent action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.

The District Labour Officer has been asked to probe into the matter.

On the other hand, police have sealed the factory and detained as many as seven officials of the company for questioning. This apart, a case has been registered against the firm at the Khantapada police station in this connection. A special forensic team from Bhubaneswar has been sent to Balasore for assistance in investigation, said Odisha DGP Bijay Kumar Sharma.

However, chairman of the company denied leakage of any toxic gas. He said gas emanated after bleaching powder came in contact with water. The women workers were affected as they were working inside closed AC room, he added.