Kollam:
A case has been registered against state-run Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited after preliminary investigation confirmed a gas leakage from one of its plants on 6 & 7th August had led to hospitalisation of nearly 130 children.
The gas leak at a chemical plant in Kollam had caused children from nearby schools to be hospitalised with complaints of nausea, vomiting, chest pain and breathing problems.
Kollam Police has registered a case under Section 440 & 286 of IPC dealing with negligent conduct with response to explosive substance. The preliminary investigation report which was submitted to the state government recommends that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Sources say the report has found serious faults with the operation and maintenance of machinery at the factory which handles toxic substances. A detailed report is expected to be submitted to the state government on Thursday.
Sources had earlier told NDTV that the machinery used in KMML plant is corroded and its acid generation unit outdated. The plant has also not implemented most of the safety recommendations made by factories and boilers department.
The Managing Director of KMML, Michael Siromani has said the process of implementation was ongoing but was time consuming.
The plant has been shut down since the gas leak occurred.
Similar instances of gas leak were reported from the same plant in 2007 and 2011.