The immediate priority is to evacuate the area, which is densely populated.
11 people have died after they fell unconscious due to a gas leak incident at a factory in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana in Punjab. Four more people, who were taken ill, are undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said. A rescue team was rushed to the spot, and doctors, an ambulance, and a fire brigade team have also been stationed at the spot. A 50-member team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also reached the site. The affected area has been cordoned off.
Police said the casualties comprise five women and six men. Two boys, aged 10 and 13, are among the 11 who died in the incident, police said.
"Definitely, it is a gas leak case. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is present at the spot to evacuate the people and will conduct the rescue operation," Swati Tiwana, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ludhiana, told ANI. The nature and sources of the gas are not known yet, and the NDRF team will investigate it, she said.
The immediate priority is to evacuate the area, which is densely populated, Ms Tiwana added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief at the loss of lives and said the NDRF team is engaged in relief work. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Bhagwant Mann said the incident was very painful and added that all possible help is being provided.
"The incident of a gas leak at a factory in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana is very sad. Police, government and NDRF teams are present at the spot. All possible help is being provided. Rest details soon," he tweeted in Punjabi.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday announced Rs 2 lakhs compensation to the family members of the victims and Rs 50,000 for those injured and admitted to the hospital in the Ludhiana Gas leak incident.