Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Apr 30: In the early hours of Thursday, a chlorine gas leak in Pune’s Kondhwa area led to the hospitalisation of at least 22 residents and two fire brigade personnel, according to officials.

The incident occurred around 1:00 am in the Gangadham locality. Reports indicate that the gas escaped from an abandoned chlorine tank stored in a warehouse belonging to a defunct water purification facility.

As the gas spread through the surrounding area, residents began experiencing breathing difficulties, causing alarm in the neighbourhood. Emergency response teams from the fire brigade quickly arrived at the scene, evacuating several people as a safety measure.

Fire officials stated that after receiving distress calls, teams acted promptly to control the situation. The leaking tank was sealed using protective equipment to prevent further inhalation of the gas.

During the response operation, 22 local residents and two firefighters reported symptoms of breathlessness and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Authorities later confirmed that all affected individuals are now in stable condition and are being kept under medical observation at Sassoon General Hospital.

Preliminary information suggests that the chlorine tank had been left unattended after the water purification unit ceased operations. A former operator of the facility indicated that while the plant had been dismantled, the tank remained in place, which may have contributed to the leak.