Gas leak at UP hospital: 1 dead, dozens evacuated

India Today

Panic gripped the Ram Prasad Bismil Government Medical College in Shahjahanpur on 24 May after a suspected formalin gas leak from the operation theatre triggered chaos.

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00:00Panic broke out at the Ramprasad Bismil Government Medical College in Shanjapur, UPO on the evening

00:07of 24 May after a suspected gas leak. Around 4 pm, thick smoke was seen billowing out of

00:12the operation theatre. Patients in attendance complained of burning eyes and difficulty in

00:16breathing, forcing an immediate evacuation of multiple wards. According to hospital staff,

00:21the leak was likely of formalin fumes, a chemical widely used for preserving biological specimens

00:26which caused cures and confusion. A stampede-like situation ensued and tragically one tuberculosis

00:32patient died, reportedly due to shock during the panic as claimed by the family. Fire department

00:37teams were rushed to the spot. Special neutralising sprays were deployed to control the chemical effect

00:41and people were seen covering their faces with masks. The hospital administration informed the

00:46situation was under control but the exact cause of the leak is still under investigation. This is not

00:51the first time that such a mishap has occurred in a medical facility. In April 2021, 22 patients

00:57died in Maharashtra's Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik after an oxygen tank leakage led to a massive drop

01:03in supply to critical patients. In May 2021, a fire broke out in the intensive care unit of a hospital

01:08in Bharuj, Gujarat, killing at least 16 COVID-19 patients. The blaze was reportedly caused by a short

01:14circuit, raising concerns about electrical safety in hospital wards. As investigations are underway into

01:20the Shandrapur gas leak, the incident serves as yet another wake-up call for authorities

01:24to prioritise patient safety and hospital hazard management.

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