Toxic Oleum Gas Leak In Palghar: 2,600 Evacuated, Students And Workers Shifted To Safety
Toxic Gas Leak At Tarapur MIDC Pharma Unit Leaves 15 Workers Affected, Safety Concerns Rise (Representative Image )
Leak from 2,500-litre tank at Boisar MIDC spreads fumes across 5-km radius; NDRF launches containment operations
A major leak of hazardous oleum gas at a chemical unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Monday triggered panic and led to the evacuation of more than 2,600 people, including 1,600 school students and over 1,000 workers.
The incident occurred around 2 pm at Bhageria Industries Ltd. in the Boisar MIDC area near Mumbai. Officials said the leak originated from a 2,500-litre oleum (fuming sulphuric acid) tank, releasing dense white fumes that rapidly spread across an estimated 3–5 km radius due to strong winds.
Residents in surrounding areas reported eye irritation, coughing and breathing discomfort. At least three persons complained of minor eye irritation and were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries have been reported so far.
As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated 1,600 students from Tarapur Vidyamandir and shifted more than 1,000 workers from the factory and nearby industrial units to safer locations.
Palghar District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar said the district disaster management plan was activated immediately after the leak was reported. The exact cause of the leak is yet to be determined.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with personnel from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the fire brigade, rushed to the site. Initial efforts to access the source were hampered by high concentrations of fumes.
Equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), NDRF and chemical experts later located the leaking tank and began containment operations. Sandbags were placed around the tank to suppress the fumes and prevent further spread.
Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh, who visited the site, urged residents to remain calm. “The fire brigade, district administration, and police are trying to contain the source of the leak. Do not panic,” he said.
The district administration has advised residents in affected areas to stay indoors, follow official advisories and avoid spreading rumours. Authorities confirmed that the situation is under constant monitoring.
Further investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and assess any environmental impact.
