Oleum gas leak in Boisar MIDC, Palghar, prompts evacuation of 2,600 people

A hazardous oleum gas leak at a chemical unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Monday triggered a large evacuation. Officials said more than 2,600 people were moved to safety. The evacuees included 1,600 school students. Three people later reported minor eye irritation and received hospital treatment.

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The incident took place at Bhageria Industries Ltd in the Boisar MIDC area on Mumbai’s outskirts. Officials said the leak happened around 2 pm. A thick white cloud formed and spread fast in the wind. The fumes affected areas within about five kilometres, causing fear among residents and workers.

Oleum gas leak evacuation in Boisar MIDC

The administration said the leak came from a 2,500-litre capacity oleum day tank. With the wind blowing towards nearby locations, the smoke moved across surrounding zones. As a safety step, authorities evacuated Tarapur Vidyamandir. More than 1,000 workers from Bhageria Industries and nearby units were also taken to safer places.

Palghar District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar oversaw the response and said the disaster plan began at once. "Citizens should not believe in rumours,\" the collector emphasised. Jakhar also asked people in affected areas to remain indoors. Officials said the situation was under continuous watch with coordination across departments.

Oleum gas leak response by NDRF, BARC and Fire Brigade

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force NDRF, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre BARC, and the Fire Brigade joined the operation. Officials said the teams first struggled to reach the unit due to heavy fumes. Chemical experts and NDRF staff later found the leak point. They entered using self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA.

Responders placed sandbags around the leaking tank to reduce the fumes, officials said. The cause of the oleum leak was not known immediately. District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh visited the spot and asked villagers to stay calm. Officials said work continued while the area remained under close monitoring.

With inputs from PTI