Mystery gas leak kills 11 in Ludhiana

BBC reported that at least 11 people have died following a gas leak in northern India.

Women and children are among those who died in the port city of Ludhiana in Punjab state. Several people were found unconscious in their homes. The area was sealed off and residents were evacuated after many reported breathing difficulties. Four are being treated in hospital.

The source of the leak is not clear so far. One official suggested that gas may have spread from manholes.

PTI news agency quotes Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik as saying: “We are going to collect samples from manholes. It is quite likely that some chemical reacted with methane in manholes.”