At least two persons were on Tuesday evening killed and 40 taken seriously ill when suspected ammonium sulphate or oxiacitelene gas kept in a cylinder leaked at Gopalpur in South Asansol, police said, adding that the gas was kept in a motor garage.
The injured were admitted to various medical centres including the district general hospital. The police and fire brigade were rushed to the spot and the situation was later said to the under control as the police had seized the offending cylinders.
Reacting to the incident local MP Babul Supriyo said he had spoken to the Police Commissioner and “I have been assured of quick action and proper investigation into it.” He also quoted some police sources as saying that the garage belonged to some ruling Trinamool Congress leader. “It has to be first understood as to how so much of gas was stock-piled in a residential area” he said.