05 August,2015 11:00 AM IST | | Ankoor Anvekar
It is learnt that some workers tried to open a refrigerated container, which had been lying uncleared for four years, after a foul stench began emanating from it at Nhava Sheva All Cargo CFS Terminal
At least three people died and eight others were hospitalised after allegedly inhaling a stench emanating from a refrigerated container in Uran.
Workers at the Nhava Sheva terminal where three workers allegedly died from the stench of rotting beef
The incident allegedly took place at the Nhava Sheva All Cargo CFS terminal, also known as the old Trans-India terminal around 11 am on Tuesday. A 40-foot container full of beef, believed to be lying uncleared at the terminal since 2011, is the cause of the stench.
On Tuesday morning, workers at the terminal smelled a stench emanating from the container, which had wafted as far as a kilometre away. Upon opening it, it was found to contain rotting beef. It is said that a few workers who tried to open the container initially fell unconscious due to the odour and the gas.
Three are dead and eight have been admitted to a hospital, but the exact figures could not be confirmed till the time of going to press. "On Tuesday morning, a foul smell started emerging from the entrance of the All Cargo CFS terminal where the container has been lying.
It was unbearable and the container had started rusting due to the decomposed meat," said a worker from the terminal. It is said that the container had been lying idle since 2011 for clearance. "Usually, some containers take time to get cleared due to disputes between the party and shipper. It can be payment related or due to any other matter," he added.
A 40-foot container has a capacity to carry 24 metric tonnes of goods. There is another such container in the area in which also the goods are rotting and it is believed to be filled with green peas. Officials from Uran police station were unaware of the workers dying and being hospitalised.
"We have not received any complaint yet and are not aware of any such incident having taken place on Tuesday morning," said API Karambolkar from Uran police station. Despite repeated calls, officials at the Uran government hospital could not be reached. It is learnt that Customs officials have granted permission to terminal authorities to destroy the goods.
