Ludhiana: Three workers, including a father and son, lost their lives while several others fell unconscious following a suspected gas leak at a tools manufacturing factory in Ludhiana during the early hours of Sunday.
The incident occurred at Deep Tools, a factory located on RK Road that manufactures industrial tools such as spanners and wrenches. Several workers reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and eye irritation after a toxic gas spread through the premises. The injured were rushed to hospital, where some remain in critical condition.
According to eyewitnesses, work was proceeding normally when a gas pipeline allegedly developed a leak. Within minutes, the gas spread across the factory, leaving workers with little time to react. Many collapsed inside the premises due to suffocation and severe irritation caused by the fumes.
The deceased have been identified as Maan Singh, his son Amit, and another worker named Shriram. Maan Singh and Amit were reportedly loading soil from beneath a machine into a trolley when they were overcome by the gas. Amit was married and is survived by his wife and a one-year-old daughter.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jasleen Bhullar confirmed the deaths and said the incident took place around 2 a.m. She stated that two other workers sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at Oswal Hospital.
Officials said the exact nature of the gas has not yet been determined. Preliminary findings suggest that the factory contains a storage tank where chemicals or other industrial substances were kept. Authorities are investigating whether the leak originated from that section of the facility.
Teams from the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation have been called to the site to assess the situation and determine the cause of the incident.
An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances that led to the suspected gas leak and whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.
