A gas leak at IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited in Fatehgarh Channa village led to the death of a worker and left three others hospitalised on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 5:30 am, according to Barnala DSP Satvir Singh. Preliminary investigations indicate that the leak gas seemed to be hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a highly toxic substance, which was likely caused by the excessive use of hydrochloric acid (HCl) during a procedural operation.
The deceased, Anmol Chhimpa, a resident of Phoolkan in Haryana, was pronounced dead at the accident site. His body has been sent to the Barnala Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Three other workers were found unconscious and rushed to the BMC Hospital in Barnala. Two of them, Yugam Khanna from Hisar and Vikas Sharma from Maujgarh in Fazilka district, were later referred to CMC Hospital in Ludhiana for further treatment. Lovepreet Singh, a worker from Fatehgarh Channa, was discharged after receiving initial treatment from the Barnala hospital.
DSP Satvir Singh said police officials, including inspector Lakhveer Singh from the Dhanaula police station, arrived at the factory after being alerted by company personnel. According to an initial investigation report by deputy director of factories, Sahil Goyal, the leakage was accidental and no one was at fault, the DSP said.
SDM Harpreet Singh Atwal assured that the families of the victims would receive support and financial assistance. He said the family of the deceased had informed that it didn’t want any legal action in the case. The deceased’s family will receive financial support as per the company policy, officials said.
Atwal further said the leakage was contained to a single unit. “The situation is currently under control. Residents of the nearby villages need not worry,” he said. “A thorough investigation into the reason behind the incident will be conducted and an appropriate action will follow,” he added.
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