Jharkhand Suspected Toxic Gas Leak: Two Women Dead, Dozens Sick as Protests Erupt in Dhanbad’s Kenduadih

At least two women have died and more than a dozen people have been hospitalised following a suspected “toxic gas leak” in the Kenduadih area of Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district, officials said on Thursday. The incident has sparked widespread panic and protests as authorities scramble to identify the source and cause of the leak.

The deaths of Priyanka Devi on Wednesday evening and Lalita Devi early Thursday intensified fears among locals, who claim toxic gas exposure is responsible. Officials, however, said the exact cause will be determined only after post-mortem reports are released.

The affected zone lies within the coal-mining region of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), which has since begun evacuating residents. Reports suggest hundreds of people from Kenduadih Basti are being moved, with gas effects reported across areas housing nearly 10,000 people, including Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla, and Officer Colony.

Tensions escalated Thursday morning as villagers blocked the Dhanbad–Ranchi highway, burning tyres and demanding immediate relocation. The blockade lasted nearly four hours before talks with the administration eased tempers.

Local resident Pradeep Kumar Thakur told ANI that one of the victims had been foaming at the mouth before being rushed to hospital, where doctors linked the death to suspected gas exposure and suffocation. He estimated that 15–20 people had fallen ill so far.

Another resident, Shaikh Mohammad, criticised authorities for inadequate action. He said warnings had been issued for years without any alternative housing provided. “The gas has spread throughout the area, and people are continuously falling ill,” he said.

Former Dhanbad mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal also questioned the management of the situation, alleging that while BCCL had declared multiple areas unsafe, it had failed to offer proper resettlement options. He demanded an expert meeting to urgently address the crisis.

BCCL teams have been using loudspeakers to appeal to residents to relocate. G. Saha, general manager of BCCL’s Putki Balihari (PB) area, said two tents had been set up to help shield people from exposure. “The area is fire-prone and has been declared unsafe for years, yet people have not moved,” he said, adding that full evacuation is the only permanent solution.

Putki Circle Officer Anand Kumar said efforts were underway to shut off the gas leak, while stressing that the exact cause of deaths would be known only after autopsy reports.

Kenduadih police station in-charge Pramod Pandey confirmed the deaths, saying steps were being taken to prevent further loss of life and property.