Toxic Gas Kills 3 in Karnataka Pharma Plant

A severe toxic gas leak at a pharmaceutical plant in Karnataka's Yadgir district resulted in the deaths of three contract workers and hospitalized two others. The incident occurred between 2 am and 3:30 am on Wednesday at a private facility in the Kadechur Badiyal Industrial Area.

A leak in a chemical scrubber pipeline, which was carrying sulphur dioxide generated during the use of thionyl chloride, exposed workers to hazardous gas. Preliminary investigations indicate the workers suffocated after inhaling the toxic fumes.

The victims have been identified as 23-year-old Katla Ganesh from Telangana, and 25-year-olds Vikram Singh Gond and Sanjay Singh Gond, both from Madhya Pradesh. Two workers from Andhra Pradesh were admitted to the intensive care unit with serious injuries.

Police have registered a case against the factory's human resources manager, general manager, and site in charge under sections related to culpable homicide and negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances. The district administration has directed the company to enhance safety measures and finalize compensation for the victims' families.

National Disaster Response Force and forensic experts are on-site to ascertain the exact cause of the leak and identify technical failures. This incident follows a recent safety audit meeting where pharmaceutical companies were cautioned about adhering to safety regulations.