25 women among 28 admitted to GMCH
According to GMCH director principal A K Janmeja, those admitted to the hospital mainly complained of breathing problems and chest congestion. According to the hospital records, there were 28 patients, including 25 women, who were brought to the hospital.
As many as 28 workers, including 25 women, were admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 after they fell unconscious when a fire broke out at Dev Darshan dhoop factory in Industrial Phase 2 on Friday afternoon. Hospital officials said all of them were stable and had been put under observation.
Late in the evening, 25 victims were discharged.
According to GMCH director principal A K Janmeja, those admitted to the hospital mainly complained of breathing problems and chest congestion. According to the hospital records, there were 28 patients, including 25 women, who were brought to the hospital.
“They (patients) came with breathing problems. Most of them are women workers and all of them are stable. None of the patients had suffered any burn injuries,” said Janmeja. He said that the workers had inhaled smoke. “We provided them oxygen after they were admitted. They are being monitored continuously and will be discharged if they are declared fit by doctors,” he said.
The victims said that there was a stampede-like situation inside the factory. “We were doing the packing and suddenly everyone started moving out of the factory after coming to know there was a fire. There was only one exit gate which created panic among the workers,” said Kallavati, a Dhanas resident. She has been working at the factory for the last three years.
Another worker said that as soon as the workers came out of the factory after breaking a wall, many of them fell unconscious on the road. “I don’t know what happened to me. There was smoke everywhere and I couldn’t breath. I am feeling better now,” said Asha, from Sector 25.
Soon after the incident was reported, family members of the victims rushed to GMCH emergency. “The factory owner should be booked. There were no safety measures at the factory to deal with the emergency situation. Police should take strict action against the factory owners,” said Karan, a relative of one of the victims