The Iffco plant in Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Feb. 14: Panic gripped the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (Iffco) plant site near this town following accidental leak of liquefied ammonia gas from a conveyer belt, leaving at least three employees of the plant ill.

However, unofficial reports said over a dozen of persons developed symptoms of dizziness and nausea following the leak of ammonia gas there.

The plant authorities confirmed the gas leak and said the leakage had been plugged on time. The leakage occurred when ammonia gas was being carried through conveyer belt to the ammonia containers at the plant site.

The mishap took place when the imported gas substances were being ejected through the conveyer belt to the plant. The crewmembers of a Malaysian cargo ship, Berlin equator, carrying 13,000 metric ton of ammonia gas, reportedly mishandled while uncorking the gas containers. Though the technical personnel of the Iffco supervised the gas dispatch proceedings, the crew of the cargo ship inadvertently mishandled the gas containers resulting in the gas leak .

“The gas leakage was minor in nature. It was plugged up soon. Three Iffco employees fell sick because of pungent nature of the gas. They were rushed to port trust hospital at Paradip. All of them are out of danger,” said V.S. Amin, deputy general manager (fire and safety), Iffco.

In another development, expressing concern over such mishap, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities have detained the cargo ship that carried gaseous substances.

Inquiry is on to ascertain whether the vessel was well equipped for transporting hazardous and gaseous substances. The port officials were cross-checking the credentials of the crewmembers to handle gaseous and toxic materials, said PPT officials.

“The Iffco has taken up the matter with the PPT so that such mishap does not recur in future. There was an elaborate discussion with the PPT personnel today in this regard,” said V.B. Suri, advisor (personnel), Iffco, Paradip.

Residents of the port town were in a state of panic as the report of gas leak spread fast.

However, they heaved a sigh of relief as the leak had a limited impact with the port area.