The leak was brought under control around 6 pm, and officials entered the premises for inspection at about 10 pm. Authorities said further action would depend on the outcome of the safety audit and compliance with industrial safety norms.A day after a major oleum gas leak at an industrial unit in Boisar in Palghar district, the state government’s Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) on Tuesday issued a prohibitory order against Bhageria Industries Limited, directing an immediate halt to all operations at the facility.“We have issued a prohibitory order. For the time being, the management will have to immediately clean up the premises. Once the cleaning is completed, all equipment must be freshly audited by a third-party agency. Based on the audit certificate, clearance for restarting operations will be issued,” DISH Joint Director Madhav Totewad said.The leakage occurred around 1.45 pm on March 2 at the company’s unit in the Tarapur industrial area. According to officials, the leak originated from a level indicator glass — a transparent tube used to monitor liquid levels inside storage tanks. What began as a minor leak intensified after one of the chemical storage tanks collapsed and ruptured, releasing a large quantity of oleum.“The initial leakage was minimal, but the intensity increased drastically after the tank collapsed and broke. That is why the fumes were so severe later,” Totewad said, adding that all machinery inside the compound would undergo an independent safety audit.The oleum, or fuming sulphuric acid, reacted with air to release sulphur dioxide and other sulphur oxides, forming a dense white cloud that reduced visibility within the factory premises and surrounding areas. Rescue teams initially faced difficulty locating the exact source of the leak due to the thick haze.According to a statement from the Palghar Collector’s office, the leak began around 2 pm from a 2,500-litre oleum storage tank. The gas cloud spread rapidly over a three-to-five-km radius. With south-easterly winds carrying the fumes, areas including Camlin Naka, Taki Naka, Saravali, Khaira Pada and the Boisar railway station vicinity were affected.As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated more than 2,600 people. This included nearly 1,600 students from Tarapur Vidyamandir and Chinmaya Vidyalaya, over 1,000 workers from Bhageria Industries and neighbouring units, and residents of the MIDC residential colony.Story continues below this adResidents reported symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing, throat discomfort, skin itching and nausea. At least three persons were hospitalised and are reported to be stable. Officials said around five employees may have been directly exposed to the gas.The leak was brought under control around 6 pm, and officials entered the premises for inspection at about 10 pm. Authorities said further action would depend on the outcome of the safety audit and compliance with industrial safety norms. Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Mumbai