VIJAYAWADA: A toxic gas leak at Royal Marine Shrimp Processing Unit at Nizampatnam in Bapatla of Andhra Pradesh, left 107 workers struggling with respiratory issues Sunday, reports Madhu Rasala.
The accident occurred at Gokarna Mutt facility of the company, where workers mistakenly combined hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite, commonly used to neutralise odours during shrimp processing. This mixture released a high concentration of chlorine gas leading to workers complaining of breathlessness.
Bapatla district medical and health officer Dr Vijayamma said 30 workers reported chlorine inhalation symptoms, but the number rose to 107 as the gas further permeated the area. Pollution control board’s engineering officials are conducting inquiry, and police are investigating to determine if there was any negligence.