Over 30 students were affected after exposure to toxic fumes from a storage tank at JSW Energy’s plant in the coastal district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, according to a police statement today.

The students are from the Jaigad Vidya Mandir school, which is located near the plant, a police official told media sources. 

Out of 250 students at the school, more than 30 experienced watery eyes and irritation due to fumes released during the tank cleaning process. Some students were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, the police added.

“The fumes were from Ethyl mercaptan, which is a colourless, flammable, and highly odorous liquid that is used as an odorant for natural gas and as a starting material for plastics, insecticides, and antioxidants,” a police official said.

However, in a statement later today, JSW Energy said its thermal plant at Ratnagiri does not have any gas storage facility and is not involved in the incident as reported in the media.

“At JSW Energy, we prioritise the safety and well-being of our employees, the community, and the environment. We adhere to stringent safety protocols and continuously monitor our operations to ensure they meet the highest standards,” the JSW Energy statement said.

“Our commitment to safety is unwavering, and we take every precaution to prevent any incidents that could impact the health and safety of the surrounding community,” it added.

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