Fatal Chlorine Gas Leak Near Mumbai: 1 Dead and 18 Hospitalized After Industrial Accident

The incident resulted in multiple hospitalizations, including a young boy, two teenage girls, and five women. (Representational)

In Palghar district's Vasai town, approximately 50 kilometers from Mumbai, a tragic chlorine gas leak claimed the life of a 59-year-old man and left 18 others requiring medical attention, including five fire brigade personnel.

According to officials, the leak occurred Tuesday around 3:30 pm during operations near a water tank adjacent to the Diwanman crematorium.

Subhash Bagde, Resident Deputy Collector and CEO of the District Disaster Management Authority, explained that an aging chlorine cylinder, estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old, began leaking from its valve, releasing toxic fumes throughout the surrounding area.

First responders from Suncity fire station arrived promptly and attempted to contain the leak. Unfortunately, several firefighters suffered from gas inhalation during their rescue efforts.

A total of 19 affected individuals were transported to three different medical facilities for treatment.

Despite medical intervention, Dev Kantilal Pardiwal, a local resident exposed to the potent fumes, succumbed at the hospital. His wife Manisha, 55, remains under intensive care at another medical facility.

Among the hospitalized fire personnel were local station in-charge Vijay Rane (53), firemen Kalpesh Patil (41) and Kunal Patil (28), and drivers Pramod Patil (43) and Sachin More, with More being discharged following initial treatment.

Other affected residents included Priya Rathod (14), Anish Solanki (15), Nazneem Dogaria (17), Anjali Rathod (19), Kantilal Mistry (75), Pushpa Mistry (72), and Shanta Solanki (62). Officials confirmed that all these local residents are currently in stable condition.

Two courageous firefighters, Swapnil Dhag and Pankaj Satvi, managed to control the gas dispersion by continuously spraying and pouring water over the leaking cylinder before safely submerging it in a nearby pond.