At least 70 hospitalised after gas leak at chemical factory in Karachi's Bin Qasim.

Byline: Qazi Hassan and Imtiaz Ali

At least 70 people were affected by a gas leak at Engro Polymer and Chemicals Plant in Karachi's Bin Qasim area, officials said on Friday.

According to an official statement from Engro, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the incident was caused due to the "release of chlorine gas through the vents".

The statement said: "The matter was quickly contained and the affectees were immediately taken for necessary first aid to nearby medical facilities. Patients were being released once cleared after necessary inspection and necessary first aid. No fainting spells, injuries or fatalities have been reported thus far."

The press release said that due to the incident, specific areas of the plant have been "taken offline" as a precautionary measure, adding that further investigations to ascertain the exact cause of the incident are under way.

The statement also clarified that the incident did not occur due to a boiler explosion, adding that all employees exposed to the gas were being screened.

However, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali said that 80 patients had been brought to the facility, at least one of whom was in critical condition. She later clarified that 70 people had been brought to the facility.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Jamali maintained that an emergency had been declared at the hospital due to the gas leak.

"Around 55 patients were discharged after being provided first aid. Around 15 patients are still at the facility," she said, adding that all those affected by the incident were facing breathing difficulties.

"Some had also complained of a burning sensation in their eyes," she said.

...