Gas pipeline rupture near school triggers panic in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur; five students hospitalised

Patna, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) A major incident occurred on Friday near Rohua High School in the Mushahari block of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district after a gas pipeline was accidentally damaged during drain construction work. The rupture caused a loud hissing sound and a significant gas leak, triggering panic among students and local residents.

Five students fainted during the incident and were later shifted to the hospital for treatment.

According to an official, drain construction work was underway in front of Rohua High School when an excavator accidentally struck an underground gas pipeline.

The damaged pipeline immediately began leaking gas, producing a loud noise that resembled an explosion.

Since classes were in progress at the nearby school—located approximately 100 metres from the construction site—students and teachers were alarmed by the sudden sound and the spreading gas cloud.

Amid the panic, five students lost consciousness. School authorities, with the assistance of local residents and police personnel, quickly evacuated the campus and rushed the affected students to the Mushahari Primary Health Centre (PHC).

After receiving initial medical treatment, all five were referred to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) as a precaution for further observation.

Acting Headmaster Swami Sudhan said the loud noise created fear among the students and staff, leading to chaos inside the school.

“The affected students include three from Class 9, one from Class 10, and one other student. All are currently stable but have been referred to SKMCH for medical observation,” he said.

Construction supervisor Ajit Kumar explained that drain construction had started on Thursday.

According to him, an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) team had halted the excavation that day and instructed workers to resume the work on Friday in their presence.

He stated that an IOCL representative was present at the site during the excavation and had indicated that the pipeline was located alongside the route marker.

However, during digging, the pipeline was encountered before the marked location and was accidentally struck by the JCB machine.

“The IOCL employee said the pipeline was running beside the route marker, but during excavation, it appeared before the marker, resulting in the accidental damage,” Ajit Kumar said.

Although the emergency valves on both sides of the pipeline were shut immediately after the incident, some gas still escaped before the leak was brought under control.

Following the incident, teams from the gas company, district administration, police, and other emergency services reached the site and successfully contained the leak.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether there was any discrepancy between the pipeline's actual underground location and the official route markings, as well as whether proper safety protocols were followed during the excavation.

Source: IANS