Patna: In a tragic turn of events, several school students collapsed inside the classroom in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur after a gas pipeline, in close vicinity of the school, suffered damage during an ongoing drainage construction work.
Initial reports said that at least seven students fainted due to toxic gas emitting from the pipeline, and all of them were rushed to the nearby hospital. All of them are said to be stable.
The incident took place on Muzaffarpur-Pusa Road near Rahua village (Musahari block), where a large drain was being constructed by Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUDCO).
The gas pipeline got severed during the excavation by the JCB machine, resulting in leakage of gas with a loud noise. As soon as the pipeline suffered cut, gas started leaking out. The sudden loud noise caused panic in the area, with locals running for safety.
The cloud of gas spread in the area and reached the school, situated about 100 metres from the spot. The classes at Rohua High School were underway when the incident occurred. Many students got exposed to gas, seven of whom lost consciousness.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, locals rushed them to Musahari Primary Health Centre (PHC).
The PHC also witnessed considerable commotion during the treatment as parents of the affected wards reached the health centre to enquire about their well-being.
Five of the seven girl students have been referred to Sri Krishna Singh Medical College following initial treatment.
The doctors at Musahari PHC told newsmen that all possible immediate treatment was administered. Two girls showed improvement and are continuing their treatment there, while the other five were sent to the medical college via ambulance.
While the students undergo recovery at the health centre, police teams along with technicians and officials from the Indian Oil rushed to the spot to stop the gas leakage and prevent further damage.
According to a local named Neeraj Kumar Mishra, the disturbing incident happened due to the callousness and negligence of BUDCO officials and workers, who were in the process of land excavation for the construction of a large drain in Musahari. While they dug the land, the machine hit a PNG gas pipeline running along the route, causing it to burst.
Within moments, the area was filled with plumes of gas, creating chaos and panic in the area. There aren’t reports of any major damage, but it was seven schoolgirls who faced the brunt of reckless excavation.
(IANS)
