35 workers hospitalised after chlorine vapour exposure in Bapatla shrimp unit

VIJAYAWADA: Thirty-five workers fell ill after inhaling chlorine vapour at a shrimp peeling unit in Gokarna Matam village of Nizampatnam mandal in Bapatla district on Saturday around 9:30 am.

The unit, owned by Divyasri Marine and leased to Royal Marine Impex, was undergoing drainage cleaning when workers used sodium hypochlorite, followed by hydrochloric acid to remove rust stains. The chemical reaction generated chlorine vapour, which quickly dispersed throughout the workspace. Workers experienced symptoms including nausea, a burning sensation in the nose and eyes, dizziness, and respiratory distress.

All affected workers were initially taken to the government hospital in Nizampatnam. Of these, four were transferred to private hospitals in Guntur and later to NRI Hospital in Mangalagiri due to elevated blood pressure. The remaining 31 are under treatment, with three still unwell but in stable condition.

Deputy chief inspector of factories K. Parameswara Rao confirmed that no ammonia was involved and attributed the incident to the reaction of the two chemicals used in cleaning. Bapatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali has ordered a three-member inquiry committee, comprising officials from Repalle, Ongole, and the PCB, to investigate and report on the incident. The district administration reported that 110 people received medical attention, with 31 in-patients and 25 discharged after first aid.