Yesterday, over 450 students from 2 government girls’ school in south Delhi hospitalized after a gas leak from a nearby container. All the girl students from the schools have been evacuated immediately after the incident.
According to Delhi police, at around 7:30 am a call was received about some chemical leakage at customs area near the Rani Jhansi Girl School of Tughlaqabad, which is run by the city government. The principal said that the children complained of suffocation and irritation in the eyes. After the incident, state police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as well as an ambulance, reached the spot immediately.
According to DCP Romil Baniya, “Around 450 children have been admitted to 4 hospitals for their treatment. Now the situation is normal, no one is serious”. A student, Poonam said, “I started vomiting and was not able to open my eyes because of irritation. All other students also were vomiting and feeling uneasy”. Principal Manisha Vaish of Rani Jhansi School said, “We saw 2 students who had watery eyes and complained of irritation and uneasiness. After more students complained, we informed authorities immediately and shifted our students to the nearby hospitals”.
National Disaster Response Force officials reached the location to control the leak. The gas that leaked is Chloro-methyl Pyridine which is used in manufacturing insecticides and pesticides.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited one of the hospitals. Thay said that the situation is under control. There is nothing to worry about. They have asked the District Magistrate to investigate the matter. A few teachers were also admitted to the hospital. The gas leak was reported from a container situated near Rani Jhansi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya and Senior Kanya Vidyalaya in Tughlakabad depot area. The schools are located in the Railway Colony.
Students were taken to four nearby hospitals. A few parents took their children back to the hospital out of concern even after they were released.
The Centre government has also taken note of the incident. Union Health Minister Mr. J P Nadda asking the central govt. hospitals in Delhi to be ready to help those who have been affected by the Gas Leak incident.
Okhla Hospital received 103 children and 5 adults, Batra hospital received 55 children, Indraprastha Apollo hospital received 61 students, 16 in Safdarjung hospital and remaining are in Apollo and AIIMS hospital. According to the doctors, already few of them have been discharged and rests have been kept under observation and will be discharged soon. According to Indraprastha Apollo hospital also, which received Sixty One patients, “They were immediately managed by a sincere multi-disciplinary team. Currently, all patients are in a stable condition.”
According to all the hospitals, almost all of them are stable and have been kept under observation. The Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal said students who are feeling better are being handed over to their parents.
