Five killed in ammonia gas exposure in rubber factory

19 April 2018 02:20 pm

At least five people were killed and 11 hospitalized after being exposed to Ammonia gas at a rubber factory in Bellapitiya, Horana today.

Police said an employee of the factory had accidentally fallen into a tank containing Ammonia gas outside the factory this afternoon while attempting to clean the tank.

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said several others including residents in the area who attempted to rescue the employee had become unconscious due to the inhalation of ammonia gas and were admitted to the Horana Base Hospital.

Five of the victims had died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The victims were identified as residents of Bellapitiya.

SP Guasekara said Horana Acting Magistrate was to inspect the factory this evening while the Horana Police are investigating the incident. (Darshana Sanjeewa and Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Pics and Video by Buddhika Kumarasiri