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Hydrochloric acid spills from tanker lorry

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. Pichumani

RAISING A STINK: Hydrochloric acid leaking from a tanker on Padikuppam Road in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: A tanker lorry spilt acid it was carrying along the busy Ambattur Industrial Estate-Padikuppam road stretch on Monday.

Many motorists and residents complained of uneasiness and irritation. Fire and Rescue Services Department officers said a private company was transporting hydrochloric acid for its use. It is suspected that there was a leak in the rear pipe.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the tanker was moved to an isolated place. Since it was raining, the movement of two-wheelers was relatively low, but people who passed the stretch experienced irritation and pungent smell. Many abruptly stopped their vehicles and covered their faces. R.Ramesh, a resident of Kamaraj Nagar, said children reported suffocation.

Anna Nagar West Extension Phase II Residents Welfare Association president V. Rajagopal said traffic came to a halt for some time. Members of the public joined the traffic police in diverting the vehicles, the police said.

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