Carbon Monoxide Leak in Turbhe MIDC Sends 15 to Hospital
Navi Mumbai, 13th June 2025: At least 15 workers were hospitalized after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a generator at a fruit packaging unit in Turbhe MIDC near Navi Mumbai on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at Swasthya Enterprise, where the generator was started following a power outage.
According to police, the smoke from the generator began seeping into the workspace unnoticed. Workers both men and women initially ignored the fumes, but several soon began experiencing difficulty in breathing. The generator was eventually turned off, but by then, multiple people had collapsed due to exposure.
Emergency responders rushed to the site after being alerted, and the affected individuals were immediately taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
Senior Police Inspector Abasaheb Patil of Turbhe MIDC police station said, “The generator was placed near a section of the company where oxygen cylinder work is conducted, while fruit packing happens in the adjacent area. Improper exhaust direction allowed the smoke to infiltrate the work area, leading to respiratory distress.”
The incident has raised serious concerns over safety protocols within industrial units. “This was a clear case of human error. The management must ensure that such accidents are not repeated,” said Mahesh Kotiwala, deputy city chief of Shiv Sena (UBT).
Police have registered the incident, and further investigation is underway to determine accountability. Officials emphasized the importance of proper ventilation and generator placement to avoid similar mishaps in the future.
