Karachi (Staff Report/Agencies): The death toll in poisonous gas leakage in Kemari area of Karachi on Sunday night reaches nine after one more lost life on Monday.
Over 125 patients were immediately transported to Ziauddin Hospital complaining of itching eyes, breathing problems and tightness in the chest. However, mystery still surrounds the toxic gas leak in Keamari.
As per sources, it was suspected that "Hydrogen Sulphide", a highly poisonous gas that is a byproduct of crude oil and also generated in sewerage system, leakage occurred during offloading chemicals from a cargo ship anchored at Keamari Jetty.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the concerned authorities to submit a report.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi directed the port authorities to investigate the incident.
In a Twitter message, the federal minister said he has requested Pakistan Navy to dispatch their Nuclear Biological Chemical Damage (NBCD) team to investigate the source of the incident of poisonous gas in the area.
According to Chief Operation Officer of Ziauddin Hospital, Dr Fahim, the hospital had sent samples from the incident for chemical examination. He said that some were affected by the gas and the others were already suffering from breathing problems.
Dr Fahim further said that those brought to the hospital include men, women and children.