Several residents of Saibabanagar in Pune were jolted awake in the early hours of Thursday by a nauseating stench, followed by respiratory distress. The source was a poly aluminium chloride gas leak from an unattended tank at an open plot near Aai Mata Mandir, close to Gangadham Chowk.
Hospitalisations and Response
As many as 22 people, including six children, were admitted to Sassoon General Hospital. Four others were taken to another health facility in Dhankawdi. All patients reported respiratory distress after inhaling toxic fumes. Gangadham fire station officer Sunil Naiknaware, who also required hospitalisation, stated, "Workers in nearby godowns were exposed to the gas. They reported a pungent smell similar to that experienced near swimming pools."
According to a source, 22 affected individuals were transported to Sassoon Hospital via '108' ambulances. The hospital's medical superintendent, Dr Yallapa Jadhav, said, "These patients arrived at 2:40 am. All were admitted by 3:11 am after completing formalities. Among them, 16 are adults, including a 78-year-old man, admitted to the respiratory diseases department. The six children, including an 11-month-old, were admitted to the pediatrics ward."
Medical Observations and Treatment
Dr Rakhi Gosawi, associate professor in the respiratory diseases department at Sassoon General Hospital, reported, "All patients experienced nausea, dry cough, throat pain, eye irritation, and breathing difficulty. Only one patient, a firefighter, required oxygen support. CT scans and X-rays were performed on other patients. We planned to keep them under observation for about 24 hours, but many patients are insisting on discharge. We have prescribed five days of antibiotics and inhalers."
Dr Jadhav added, "As of Thursday evening, all patients are stable. Several have requested discharge against medical advice (DAMA), so we will discharge them soon."
Broader Impact and Safety Concerns
The incident highlights the dangers of unattended chemical storage in residential areas. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the leak and the tank's ownership. Residents have demanded stricter safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
