7 in hospital after ‘mystery odour' from Basai factory

Time of India

24-05-2025

Gurgaon: Seven persons, including three children, gasped for breath in Basai and had to be rushed to hospital after a mysterious odour — possibly caused by a gas leak — from a nearby auto parts factory turned their evening into a nightmare of nausea and fear.
The incident, which occurred late on Friday evening, sent shockwaves through the area when residents began experiencing severe symptoms, such as eye irritation, vomiting, and acute stomach pain. The victims — Sarita, Geeta, Khushi, Annu, Pooja, and children Srishti, Drishti, and Devansh — were taken to the Sector-10 Civil Hospital as their conditions deteriorated.
The alleged gas leak triggered immediate protests from local residents, who kept the factory gates locked until cops intervened.
"Around 8pm, chemicals were being used in the company as usual. But this time, people started vomiting severely and feeling dizzy," said Mahesh, a resident. He emphasised the ongoing threat posed by factories operating in residential areas, where toxic gases and chemicals are routinely used and produced.
The incident prompted swift action from authorities, with a senior civil hospital doctor alerting police about the possibility of more patients requiring treatment.
by Taboola
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However, residents questioned the response from officials. Sanjeev Bansal, president of the Sai Industries Association, suggested an alternative narrative, pointing to a long-standing dispute between the complainant and the factory owner.
"An impartial investigation should be conducted in this matter," he insisted, hinting at possible ulterior motives behind the complaints.
The regional officer of the state pollution board, Akanksha Tanwar, said a previous complaint about the same factory had yielded no evidence of chemical or gas leakage during investigation.
SDM Paramjit appointed an investigator, duty magistrate naib tehsildar Ashish Kumar, who found that the auto parts company primarily manufactures bolts, and no gas was detected during a site inspection.
He said authorities would continue to investigate the mysterious circumstances that led to the mass illness, with focus on gathering detailed information about industrial operations in the area. "The incident has raised serious questions about industrial safety standards and the coexistence of factories and residential areas in Gurgaon's rapidly expanding urban landscape," he added.