22 November,2025 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
The incident took place at Bhangarwadi near MIDC Police Station. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
A chemical leak - suspected by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) sources to involve sodium sulphide - in Bhangarwadi near the MIDC Police Station in Andheri East claimed the life of a 20-year-old man and left two others in critical condition on Saturday evening.
The incident, reported at 4.55 pm by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), occurred inside a ground-plus-one structure. Three people suffered severe suffocation and were rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital.
Hospital authorities confirmed that Ahmad Hussain (20) was declared brought dead, while Saba Shaikh (17) and Naushad Ansari (28) - both admitted to the ICU - remain in critical condition. Hussain's body has been taken to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem.
A local resident, requesting anonymity, claimed that Saba and Ansari, who are siblings, had been cleaning scrap metal using chemicals.
"They didn't know the potency of the chemicals and mixed too much, which caused fumes and suffocation," he said. He added that Saba ran out screaming for help, prompting Hussain to enter the structure to rescue them.
"He went in and fainted himself."
At the time of the leak, the parents of the siblings were reportedly away at work.
A nearby paan shop owner, Ashif Najjar, told mid-day.com, "When the girl shouted, we didn't know what was happening. Whoever went there to help felt sick, so no one dared to go in."
The Mumbai Fire Brigade has continued search operations at the site, while NDRF has been placed on alert as a precautionary measure. Officials say the exact chemical involved is still being verified.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the leakage and whether hazardous materials were being stored or handled without safety measures.
Further details are awaited.
