Fourteen women employees, including two minors, fell unconscious after an ammonia gas leak at the ALM Meat Plant, owned by former MP Haji Fazlur Rahman, in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Tuesday, triggering panic inside the factory. All the affected workers were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment, while authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The incident occurred at the meat processing unit located in the Gangoh police station area, where packaging work was underway as usual. According to eyewitnesses, ammonia gas suddenly began leaking inside the plant, making it difficult for workers to breathe. Several employees complained of suffocation, dizziness and breathing problems before collapsing on the factory floor.

Co-workers immediately evacuated the affected employees from the premises and shifted them to hospital in ambulances and other vehicles. Factory operations were temporarily suspended following the incident.

Misbah, one of the injured workers, said around 250 women are employed at the factory's packaging unit and are paid approximately INR 300 per day. "We were packing meat when the gas suddenly started leaking. Panic spread across the plant as workers struggled to breathe," she said.

Another injured worker, Gulshaniya, said she suddenly felt dizzy after the gas spread through the facility. "I don't know how it happened. Suddenly the gas spread, I felt dizzy, and after that I don't remember anything," she said.

A third worker alleged that no contractor was present at the time of the incident. "There was no contractor there when the gas leak occurred. It is a meat factory, but I don't even know the factory's name," the worker claimed.

Following the incident, personnel from the Gangoh police station and district administration reached the spot and inspected the factory. Officials said an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the ammonia leak and determine whether the plant was complying with mandatory industrial safety norms.

Authorities said action would be taken against those responsible if negligence is established during the investigation. Doctors are continuing to monitor the condition of all the injured workers, and officials said further details would emerge once the inquiry is completed.

The incident has once again raised concerns over workplace safety standards at industrial units handling hazardous chemicals such as ammonia, which is commonly used in refrigeration systems at meat processing plants.

- Ends

With inputs from Rahul Kumar

Published By:

Ritaban Misra

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 19:30 IST