PUNE: At least 26 people, including two fire brigade personnel, were hospitalised after a toxic gas leak from an abandoned tank in the Pune city area early Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 12.30 am near Aai Mata Mandir, close to Gangadham Chowk. According to police, the leak originated from a corroded steel tank left unattended in an open plot. A hole that developed in the tank overnight led to the release of gas.
Among those affected were 24 residents of Saibabanagar in Kondhwa, along with two firefighters. Victims reported symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness, vomiting, throat irritation, and eye irritation. They were admitted to Sassoon General Hospital and another facility in Dhankawdi. Officials said all are in stable condition and are likely to be discharged soon.
The fire brigade received a distress call at around 12.50 am and rushed teams from the Gangadham fire station, deploying multiple fire tenders and personnel. Initially, firefighters struggled to locate the source of the leak, eventually tracing it to the abandoned tank based on the foul odour. The tank was later sealed.
During the operation, two fire personnel—identified as Sunil Naiknaware and Dhananjay Bhise—also fell ill and were hospitalised, though they are now out of danger. Firefighters evacuated residents using breathing apparatus and deployed water and caustic soda to suppress the gas.
Police said the tank contained residue of poly aluminium chloride, a chemical used in industrial processes. It had reportedly been left unused in the open plot for several years by a businessman who supplies chemicals to industries. Over time, corrosion weakened the structure, resulting in the leak.
A complaint has been filed against the businessman and his manager, and a case has been registered under provisions related to negligent handling of hazardous substances and acts endangering human life.
Authorities from the Disaster Management Cell, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, and industrial safety departments have inspected the site. Samples from the tank have been collected for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
Residents described panic as the gas spread through the area. One local said he woke up in the middle of the night struggling to breathe and rushed his family outside, which likely helped them avoid more serious harm.
