New Delh: Over 300 girl students of Rani Jhansi Girls' School were hospitalised on Saturday after toxic fumes spread due to chemical leakage at a container depot near two schools in southeast Delhi's Tughlakabad area.
The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Police has registered an FIR in the matter under various sections of IPC and the Environment (Protection) Act.
Union Minister J P Nadda has instructed all Centre-run hospitals to be ready to help the victims. A team of doctors from AIIMS has been put on stand-by to cater to any emergency.
According to the police, a call was received at around 7:35 AM about some chemical leakage at customs area of Tughlaqabad depot, which is located near Rani Jhansi School for girls run by the city government.
The principal of the school, Manisha, stated the children had complained of suffocation and irritation in the eyes while they were praying.
"At around 07:00 am during prayer time, students complained of suffocation and irritation in their eyes. Without any delay, we got them out from their classes and called the police. We later sent the students who complained of breathing problem to nearby hospitals," said principal.
Following the incident, teams of police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well as CATS ambulance reached the spot.
"Some chemical leakage at customs area of Tughlaqabad depot has caused eye irritation to the girl students in Rani Jhansi school," DCP (Southeast) Romil Baaniya said.
The students were admitted to three hospitals. The police said that the source of leakage is yet to be ascertained.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the students are fine.
"The affected girl students, who had complained of irritation in their eyes due to gas leakage, have been admitted to three hospitals. I spoke to doctors who told me that they are normal," Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said.
He said that he has ordered the area district magistrate and SDM to launch a probe into the gas leakage incident at the container depot.
"There was an exam in the school which we have cancelled following the incident," the deputy chief minister said.