At least ten nursing students in Mathura found themselves in a dire situation as a hazardous cloud enveloped the premises, raising questions about safety protocols and prompt responses. In an incident that unfolded within the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) office campus in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, things took an alarming turn when a chlorine gas leak sent several nursing students to the hospital.
The authorities, realizing the gravity of the situation, promptly sought the intervention of the fire department. At that time, they successfully contained the leak, providing a temporary sigh of relief. However, the respite proved to be fleeting.
The following day, at 11 am, the sinister odour once again filled the air, sending distress signals to everyone present within the CMO office campus. This time, the chlorine gas leak severely affected nursing students and disrupted their daily activities.
One nursing student, speaking on behalf of the affected, pointed out the lack of decisive action from the authorities, saying,
"There has been a problem with the cylinder since yesterday, but no substantial action has been taken. Suddenly, today, everyone has fallen ill. Everyone knew about the situation, but no immediate action was taken to prevent this dangerous incident."
#WATCH | Mathura CMO Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma says, "Yesterday, we could sense a strange smell. Fire Department was called, they inspected everything and controlled the situation. Today, since 11 am the smell started again. Fire Department detected the issue...A few students were… https://t.co/Yz4Ayqdznr pic.twitter.com/EPjpFnCj9x
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2023
Medical Response And Root Cause
Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma, the CMO of Mathura, shed light on the situation, stating, "Yesterday, we could sense a strange smell. The Fire Department was called, they inspected everything and controlled the situation. Today, since 11 AM, the smell started again."
Dr. Verma emphasized that the situation was not a result of negligence on their part. Instead, it was revealed that the problem could be traced back to an old pumping station where the cylinders were ultimately found empty. The suspected gas leaks in the area were later identified as chlorine, which had wreaked havoc and disrupted the lives of those who encountered its harmful effects.
The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and a swift response in handling such hazardous situations. As investigations continue into the root cause of the chlorine gas leak, the priority remains ensuring the well-being of the affected nursing students and implementing measures to prevent any recurrence of this disturbing episode.
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