Toxic leak turns fatal: Worker dies, five hospitalised at UP sugar mill

A routine evening shift turned tragic in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district when a toxic gas leak at a sugar mill claimed the life of a worker and left five others seriously ill, raising fresh concerns over industrial safety standards .

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the waste treatment plant of the Malakpur sugar mill in the Baraut area. According to police, a sudden release of poisonous gas exposed several workers on duty, leading to chaos within minutes.

Among those affected was Suresh Sharma (62) , a security guard, who collapsed after inhaling the gas. Despite swift response efforts by local authorities, Sharma was declared dead by the time rescue teams reached the spot. Five other employees also lost consciousness and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Doctors later confirmed that two of the affected workers, identified as Hameed and Saqib , were in critical condition and had to be referred to a higher medical facility in Meerut for advanced care. The condition of the remaining workers is currently being monitored.

Superintendent of Police Suraj Kumar Rai stated that the situation has been brought under control and there is no ongoing leakage . However, he confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident. “A formal complaint will be examined, and necessary action will follow,” he said.

The tragedy has once again spotlighted the risks faced by industrial workers , especially in units handling hazardous substances. Questions are now being raised about whether safety protocols and emergency systems at the plant were adequate to prevent such a disaster.

As authorities begin their probe, the focus remains on accountability, and on ensuring that such incidents do not repeat themselves.