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One dead, 13 injured after gas leak at Gujarat Fluorochemicals

‘A person died due to a fall while trying to escape from the plant where a pressurised pipeline had burst,’ Panchmahal District Collector Ajay Dahiya said

Sources said that at least five workers have sustained grievous burn injuries while some others have been acutely affected by the gas leak. (Express photo)

One person was killed and 13 others remain hospitalised after a gas leak in a plant manufacturing R-22 refrigerant — used primarily in air conditioning systems — at the Gujarat Fluorochemical Limited (GFL) in Panchmahal district’s Ghoghamba taluka on Wednesday afternoon.

While 25 workers were initially rushed to the sub-district hospital in Halol and two private hospitals, the district administration confirmed that a total of 13 workers affected in the gas leak are presently admitted to a private hospital in Vadodara while one person was confirmed dead.

Panchmahal District Collector Ajay Dahiya told The Indian Express, “One person died due to a fall while trying to escape from the plant where a pressurised pipeline had burst and caused the R2 refrigerant to leak… It led to about 25 workers reporting symptoms of oxygen saturation and they were rushed to the sub-district hospital and two private clinics and then taken to Bhailal Amin hospital in Vadodara, which has a tie up with GFL.”

Dahiya said that while the initial information received by the district administration had indicated a blast before a gas leak, it was the sound of the pressurized pipeline exploding that was taken for a blast. “Initially, the sound that came from the pressurised pipeline was understood as a blast. We have sought a post mortem in the death… I have also asked the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health to probe into the cause of the accident,” Dahiya said.

The district administration had dispatched 15 ambulances to the spot after the incident took place. Panchmahl District Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudht and Additional District Collector J J Patel reached the spot to oversee the rescue operations as well as the primary investigation in the matter.

Ravi Hirwani, President, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, said that 11 patients from GFL were brought in “emergency and critical condition” after an accidental inhalation of gases. “A few are critical and admitted in the critical care unit… stable patients are under observation for medical treatment. The clinical team is making every possible effort to save precious lives,” Hirwani said.

Aditi Raja

Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat. Her extensive and varied beat coverage across Central Gujarat and the Narmada districts establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Experience Senior Role: As an Assistant Editor at a national publication like The Indian Express, Aditi Raja holds a senior position that signifies editorial oversight and commitment to factual, in-depth reporting. Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, including: Politics and Administration: Provides sharp scrutiny of state governance, political figures (e.g., coverage of political events and speeches by leaders like JP Nadda), and bureaucratic decisions, including issues like officer protests against political pressure. Crucial Regional Projects: Demonstrates high Expertise in the socio-economic and political dimensions of major regional initiatives, specifically the Statue of Unity and the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, including related development, environmental, and resettlement issues. Social Justice and Human Rights: Offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects. Special Interest Beat: She tracks the activities and concerns of Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs), connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More

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