Ahmednagar (Maha), Nov 27: Over 50 persons were hospitalised after they complained of vomitting, giddiness and pain in throat following a gas leak from a chemical factory at Sangamner, about 100 kms from here. A total of 53 persons complained of vomitting, giddiness, loose motion and pain in the throat after hydroclorine gas leaked from mangalam drugs and organic chemicals factory at Ghulewadi near Sangamner yesterday, police said today.

The effect of the poisonous gas was felt over a 10 km area, they said.

All the affected persons have been admitted to a local hospital at Sangamner, police said adding, three of them are in a serious condition and are being admitted to the intensive care unit. Mangalam drugs factory, manufacturing aluminium chloride and monochloride acitic acid, has been in operation for the last 15 years.

People in the surrounding areas, through 'Loksanghassha Samiti' have been complaining about the pollution (air and water) due to affluents from the factory which has led to health problems for men and animals in the area, sources said.

However, the Lok Sangharsh Samiti, in a release, has claimed that over 100 persons were affected by the leak and also demanded immediate arrest of the factory owner.

Bureau Report