3 injured as ammonia gas leaks from Dhaka factory

At least three people fell sick after ammonia gas leaked from a factory in the capital's Shoarighat last night.

Fire Service and Civil Defence sources said the gas started leaking around 8:30pm from an ice factory on Champatoli Lane under Chawk Bazar Police Station.

On information, 10 fire engines went to the spot and was working to bring the situation under control, said Babul Mia, an on-duty fireman at the fire service office.

The identity of the victim and the reason behind the leak could not be ascertained.

Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh division) Mohammad Ibrahim Khan of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said they had sent policemen to the spot.

The incident is just weeks after an ammonia gas tank exploded on August 22 at DAP fertiliser factory in Chittagong. Around 50 people had to be hospitalised after that incident.

A probe committee, formed after the incident, held two high officials of the factory responsible.