5 workers die by falling into ammonia tank ... Owner of Horana factory absconds

5 workers die by falling into ammonia tank ... 

Owner of Horana factory absconds

A tragic incident was reported this afternoon where 5 workers have fallen into a poisonous liquid ammonia tank which had been in an unsafe state at a rubber shoe factory situated in Bellapitiya area in Horana and thus lost their lives. 5 persons have died by falling into the said tank while about 15 others had to be hospitalised.

It was revealed at investigations that initially 1

worker had fallen into the tank and 4 others who had taken an effort to rescue him had faced the accident. Subsequently, people who came there with the intention of rescuing them and about 15 persons were dispatched to hospital having breathed the poisonous gas. Among them 1 person's condition was critical, it was understood.

As a consequence of this incident, already 34 persons have visited the hospital seeking treatment for respiratory ailments. The manager of the factory has been apprehended by Horana police for questioning. The owner of the said factory has fled from the area and investigations are underway in search of him, police say.

Pix Courtesy by -lankadeepa.lk