Nagpur chlorine gas leak: 56 hospitalised, 8 in ICU

At least 56 residents were hospitalised early Monday after a chlorine gas leak at the Godhni water treatment plant in Nagpur. Eight patients are in the ICU with severe exposure. The leak originated from a 900-kg chlorine cylinder stored at the plant operated by Godhni Gram Panchayat, Hindustan Times and Times of India report. Responders submerged the faulty cylinder in water to neutralise the gas.

Nagpur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad led the response involving the NDRF, industrial safety officials and health teams. Door-to-door health checks have begun in the affected locality. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule were briefed, Bawankule directed uninterrupted treatment for victims. A station diary entry has been made and an inquiry is underway, though no offence has been registered yet.

Times of India reports that the collector flagged the open storage of the 900-kg cylinder, raising questions about handling of large chlorine quantities at the plant. Officials clarified the facility is run by the gram panchayat, not the municipal corporation.