Andhra Pradesh: 1 dead, two critical after ammonia gas leak in Kurnool factory

Welding work on a gas pipeline was underway in the factory when the incident took place. District Collector G Veerapandian said that the fire and emergency services were summoned to bring the situation under control.

“The gas leak has been contained and there is no danger nearby. Only a small amount of gas leaked and the fire and emergency services managed to contain the situation,” he said.

Joint Chief Environmental Engineer of AP Pollution Control Board K Venkateshwara Rao said that ammonia is used in the agro unit as a chilling agent.

“During a factory inspection last week, we had identified some issues following which the repair work was taken up. It was being tested when the pipe exploded, killing the manager on the spot and affecting four others. The ammonia leak was limited to inside the plant,” Rao said.

Besides the district collector, pollution control board officials also visited the site to take stock of the situation.