Two die in gas leak at steel plant in eastern India

Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-20 18:55:09|Editor: liuxin
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NEW DELHI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least two workers died and two injured in a gas leak at a government-owned steel plant in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal Monday, officials said.

The incident took place at Durgapur Steel Plant in the state's West Burdwan district, some 160 km from state capital Kolkata.

"The gas leak occurred at the coke oven segment of the steel plant. Four workers fell ill after inhaling toxic fumes. They were rushed to a hospital, where two died," an official said.

The condition of the other two are said to be critical, he added.

"We have sealed all gas lines in the area as a precautionary measure," plant spokesperson Chinmoy Samajdar told the media.

The steel plant has ordered a probe into the incident. "A high-level committee has been formed to find out how the gas leak happened," he added.

Set up in 1950s, the steel plant is run by the Steel Authority of India Limited.

Gas leak incidents are not uncommon in India, the notable being the Bhopal gas tragedy in the central state of Madhya Pradesh's capital in 1984.

Over 4,000 people were killed when methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the U.S.-based Union Carbide's pesticide plant in Bhopal, considered to be the world's worst industrial disaster.

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