50 Students Hospitalised After Inhaling Leaked Ammonia Gas

The students were studying in a private school in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.

The gas had leaked from a cold storage nearby. (Image used for representational purpose)

(Photo Courtesy: AP)

At least 50 students of a private school in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh were hospitalised on Wednesday after they complained of uneasiness following inhalation of ammonia gas. The gas had leaked from a cold storage nearby, informed District authorities.

Nearly 800 students were present on the school campus when the gas leaked from an adjoining cold storage, located on Narsingpur road, a senior official said.

District Collector JK Jain ordered an inquiry into the incident.

“Fifty students were taken to the district hospital after they complained about uneasiness. They were sent home after medical check-up and were provided with medication. We have evacuated the school,” Jain told after visiting the spot along with Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tiwari.

“We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. The police is questioning the owner of the cold storage,” the collector said.

The students had assembled on the school campus for the daily prayer when the ammonia gas leaked from a pipeline at around 10.15 am. After the leak, some students complained of uneasiness, he said.

The ammonia gas leakage was caused due to an explosion of a cylinder in the cold storage, Jain said.

SP Tiwari said teams of fire brigade and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported.

"The situation is now under control and we are are questioning the cold storage owner," he said.

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