In a shocking development, around 300 people residing near Chemfab Alkalis Limited's facility in Pondicherry were admitted to Indira Gandhi government hospital on Wednesday after chlorine gas leaked from the factory made them ill.

The ill patients reported symptoms like vomiting, shortness of breath plus irritation.

Medical superintendent of Indira Gandhi Government Hospital stated, "None of the people admitted is in a serious condition. Till afternoon, only around 70 people were admitted. But after 12.30 pm, the number of people being admitted has increased. Now, there are around 300 people. We will review their condition and discharge around 250 of them later today."

The Puducherry administration ordered that the company (Chemfab Alkalies Ltd) will remain shut till the time a thorough investigation is done.

Puducherry home minister E Valsaraj, who also holds the commerce and industry portfolio, confirmed the closure.

According to Pondicherry district collector Rakesh Chandra, the factory workers were filling up gas in 900-kg cylinders at around 7.30 a. m.

One of the containers leaked out and the gas spread to a close by village, where the inhabitants complained of queasiness and uneasiness.

As per reports, Chemfab Alkali is the maker of liquid chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, caustic soda lyke, hydrogen gas and barium sulphate.

Mr. Chandra said that the government may declare an ex-gratia amount on Thursday.

"The relief for the suffering has to be claimed as per the procedure laid in the Industries Act," he added.