india

Updated: Jun 13, 2015 15:13 IST

A tanker carrying liquid ammonia hit a bridge near Ludhiana in Punjab, resulting in a leak that left five dead and more than 100 others complaining of breathing problems, police said on Saturday.



The incident occurred in Doraha at 11pm on Friday. Valves atop the tanker were damaged as the driver tried to pass under the bridge and the ammonia began leaking.



Within minutes, ammonia spread through the air in a five-kilometre radius, causing major and minor injuries to the respiratory tracts, eyes and skin of people living in the area.



Soon after, the district administration sprang into action and ambulances and fire tenders from across Ludhiana district were sent to the spot. Water was poured on the tanker and around it to reduce the impact of the ammonia gas.



Realising the gravity of situation, the administration called in teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Laddowal in Ludhiana and Bathinda. The teams worked with local administration officials to take the injured to hospitals in Ludhiana, Khanna and Doraha.