Gas leak at Durgapur steel plant, 27 taken ill

KOLKATA - At least 27 people were taken ill after toxic methane and carbon monoxide gases leaked from a blast furnace at the Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) in West Bengal’s Burdwan district Thursday.

The incident occurred when the employees of DSP were working at a blast furnace in the factory, police said.

Twenty-four of the affected workers were taken to the Durgapur Steel Plant-run hospital. Three others who were also affected recovered within minutes and did not need hospitalisation, an official said.

Four of the critically ill workers have been admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Of the others, 10 were discharged after treatment while the rest other were released later, an official said.

The chief of communication DSP, B.R. Kanungo confirmed the gas leak.

“We are yet to ascertain the reason for the emission of gases from blast furnace number 2. All measures have been taken to stop the leak,” Kanungo told IANS over phone.

“Doctors at the DSP hospital have informed us that the condition of the four in ICU is stable,” said Kanungo.

“An expert committee has been formed to investigate the matter,” he added.

Asked about the possible reason, Kanungo said “there might have been some anomalies in the proportion of gases mixed in the blast furnace which resulted in the emission of methane and carbon monoxide gases.”

The operations in the steel plant have not been affected. “The operation in the blast furnace number 2 has resumed and normal production is being carried out,” said Kanungo.