Four Killed, Several Injured as Cold Storage Collapse and Ammonia Leak Trigger Panic in Phaphamau, Prayagraj
A tragic incident occurred in the Phaphamau area on the outskirts of Prayagraj, where four labourers lost their lives after the front portion of a cold storage building suddenly collapsed with a loud explosion-like noise.
The mishap took place on Monday afternoon in Chandpur village, leaving several workers injured and spreading panic across the locality.
The cold storage, identified as Adarsh Cold Storage, is owned by Ansar Ahmad, a former minister in the Samajwadi Party government.
According to initial reports, more than 40 labourers were resting in the front section of the building when the structure unexpectedly gave way, burying many of them under the debris and catching them completely off guard.
The situation worsened when an ammonia pipeline reportedly exploded, causing the pungent gas to spread over a large area.
The strong smell of ammonia triggered fear among residents, who rushed out of their homes and ran helter-skelter amid concerns about deteriorating air quality. The sudden collapse and gas leakage created chaos in the village and nearby areas.
Rescue operations were immediately launched by the district administration. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with fire brigade personnel and multiple fire tenders, rushed to the spot and carried out rescue efforts throughout the night.
The injured were promptly taken to SRN Hospital, where at least fourteen people are undergoing treatment.
Doctors confirmed that four of the injured labourers succumbed to their injuries. Among those hurt in the incident was also a young girl, who sustained injuries during the chaos.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious concerns about safety standards at the facility. An FIR has been registered against former minister Ansar Ahmad and the manager of the cold storage.
Meanwhile, the district administration has constituted a probe committee headed by the ADM (Finance), which has been tasked with investigating the cause of the accident and submitting a detailed report within 48 hours.
The tragedy has created an atmosphere of fear in the region, with residents demanding strict action and accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.
