2,600 evacuated as gas leaks from chemical unit in Palghar

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

4 MARCH 2026

• A major leak of hazardous oleum gas at a chemical unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district led to the evacuation of over 2,600 people, including 1,600 school students, while three persons complained of minor eye irritation, officials said.
• The incident occurred at a unit of Bhageria Industries Ltd. in the Boisar MIDC area on the outskirts of Mumbai.
• The leak from a 2,500-litre oleum (fuming sulphuric acid) tank created a dense cloud of white fumes that spread rapidly due to strong winds, affecting areas within an estimated 5 km radius and causing panic among residents and workers.