Toxic fumes kill five workers in Korangi factory

Workers fainted after descending down the underground chemical tank

KOHAT/ KARACHI: Five labourers died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning the underground chemical tank of a factory without gas masks in Karachi on Sunday.

The incident occurred at Maxen Plastic manufacturing factory in the Korangi Industrial Area.

“It was a chemical tank. The ‘boss’ ordered us to clean the tank on Sunday,” said Muhammad Fayyaz, one of the survivors. “At least nine labourers were called in for cleaning the tank. Initially, three workers descended down the underground tank, but they soon fainted. Then another team tried to rescue them, but they fared no better and fainted too.”



Six workers, including two factory employees fell unconscious. They were immediately rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) but five of them died on the way to the hospital, while Fayyaz survived.

Later, family members of the deceased staged a demonstration in protest against the incident, demanding the arrest of the factory owner.

“The factory owner is responsible for the deaths because he made no arrangements for their safety,” said Abdul Sattar, father of one of the victims, Mairaj.

The incident occurred at about 11:45am within the 600-square-yard factory which was built a decade ago. The underground chemical tank measures 8x8 feet.

An extra contingent of law enforcers, including Rangers and police, arrived at the site of the incident and initiated investigations.

Police have registered an FIR No462/16 under Section 322 (unintended murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code on behalf of Abdul Kalam, father of one of the victims, Abdul Rahim.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2016.