Pune: Twenty-two residents and two firefighters were hospitalised early Thursday morning following a chlorine gas leak in the Kondhwa district of Pune, municipal fire authorities reported.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. in the Gangadham area, originating from a discarded tank situated within a warehouse of a defunct water purification facility.

“Following the leak and the subsequent spread of gas, residents in the vicinity complained of breathlessness. Upon receiving the call, fire teams were dispatched. Several citizens were evacuated, and the leaking tank was patched using safety equipment,” a fire department official stated.

Emergency Response and Hospitalisation

The rapid dispersal of the toxic gas prompted an immediate evacuation of the surrounding neighbourhood. During the containment efforts, nearly two dozen civilians and two members of the responding fire crew suffered from respiratory distress. All 24 individuals were transported to Sassoon General Hospital for emergency treatment.

A former operator of the water purification unit informed officials that while the plant had been dismantled, the chlorine canister appears to have been left behind. The tank reportedly developed a breach due to a lack of maintenance.

Current Condition

Medical professionals indicated that while the inhalation of chlorine gas can be debilitating, the victims are expected to recover.

“All the affected residents and the two fire personnel are out of danger and currently under observation at Sassoon General Hospital,” the fire official confirmed.

Authorities have secured the site, and an investigation into the improper storage of hazardous materials at the shuttered plant is anticipated.

With inputs from PTI