Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jul 17: Five students were hospitalised after an underground gas pipeline was accidentally damaged during drain construction near a government school in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Friday, causing a major gas leak and widespread panic in the area.
The incident took place near Rohua High School in Mushahari block when an excavator struck the underground pipeline while excavation work was in progress. The rupture released gas with a loud hissing sound that startled students, teachers and nearby residents.
With classes underway at the school, located about 100 metres from the construction site, the sudden noise and gas leak created chaos on the campus. Amid the panic, five students lost consciousness.
School authorities, assisted by local residents and police personnel, immediately evacuated the premises and shifted the affected students to the Mushahari Primary Health Centre. After receiving first aid, they were referred to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) for further observation. Officials said all five students are in stable condition.
Acting Headmaster Swami Sudhan said the loud sound caused fear among students and staff, leading to confusion and panic inside the school. He added that the affected children included three Class 9 students, one Class 10 student and another student from the school.
Construction supervisor Ajit Kumar said drain construction had begun a day earlier but was temporarily halted after an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) team intervened. According to him, IOCL officials had asked workers to resume excavation on Friday in their presence.
Kumar said an IOCL representative at the site had indicated that the gas pipeline was located alongside the route marker. However, while digging, the JCB machine encountered the pipeline before reaching the marked point, resulting in the accidental rupture.
Although emergency valves on both sides of the pipeline were shut immediately, some gas escaped before the leak was fully contained.
Teams from the gas company, district administration, police and emergency services rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the pipeline's actual underground alignment differed from the official route markings and whether all prescribed safety measures were followed during the excavation work.