30 fall ill after inhaling chlorine in Hosadurga

Hosadurga: At least 30 people took ill after inhaling chlorine which leaked from a water purification unit in Hosadurga on Monday. 

The incident occurred 6 in the evening. People residing in the vicinity of the purification unit fell ill after inhaling the gas. They were all treated at the general hospital in the town. Some residents who complained of breathing issues were shifted to Shivamogga for treatment. The gas leak was brought under control by about 8 pm.

Town Municipality Chief Officer Thimmaraju said that the water purification unit was not being utilised for the past eight years. “Chlorine gas leaked accidentally and it spread into a radius of one km. Experts have dissolved the gas in water and there is no loss of life in the incident,” he said.