Indian hamlet evacuated after gas leak, 2 hospitalized

At least two women have been hospitalized and an entire hamlet in India's western state of Goa evacuated after ammonia gas leak Friday, police said.

"The incident took place when a tanker carrying ammonia overturned on a state highway linking Vasco City with Goa's capital Panaji this morning and the gas began leaking from the vehicle," a senior police official said.

"A police team and disaster management officials soon reached the spot and evacuated people from the nearby Chicalim village. Two women had to be shifted to a nearby government hospital as they complained of breathlessness," he added.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said. "The truck was carrying the gas to an industrial house from a port in Goa when it overturned. We will book the driver for rash and negligent driving if the probe indicts him for the accident," he added.

Gas leak incidents are not uncommon in India, the notable being the Bhopal gas tragedy.

Some 4,000 people were killed when methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals leaked from the U.S.-based Union Carbide's pesticide plant in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal in 1984. The incident was considered the world's worst industrial disaster.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)