Turbhe: Police has registered a case of negligence against the owner and manager of Swasthya Agro Enterprises in connection with the industrial mishap which left 26 workers hospitalised after inhaling toxic smoke.

According to preliminary investigations by Turbhe MIDC police, the cold storage facility lacked fundamental safety infrastructure. The generator, activated during an unexpected power outage, released smoke that rapidly filled the enclosed work area. Workers were caught unaware and exposed to hazardous fumes, leading to breathlessness, panic, and chaos. The incident took place on June 13.

All affected workers, including women, were rushed to hospital. Four workers remain under medical observation due to severe respiratory complications.

Upon inspection of Swasthya Agro, police discovered that the facility had failed to implement basic safety protocols such as proper ventilation, emergency response systems, and evacuation procedures. These shortcomings rendered the environment highly unsafe for workers during emergencies.

Further investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the incident and evaluate the facility’s compliance with industrial safety regulations.

The episode underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety standards and routine inspections at industrial sites, especially those operating in enclosed environments such as cold storage facilities.