Bhilai, January 3: Six people were hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas leaked in the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh on Friday. "The incident took place at around 2 am owing to material slippage inside Bhilai steel plant's blast furnace no. 8, pressure increased inside the furnace and got released through the drain pot of hydraulic U seal that is installed for such purposes," read an official statement.

"One loco operator and two shunting staff who were inside the locomotive that was positioned below the U seal got affected by the gas released. Gas monitors installed in the area also signalled the presence of gas," the statement added. Chhattisgarh: Major Fire at Bhilai Steel Plant After Blast; Nine Dead, Several Injured.

The affected persons were immediately taken to the main medical post at the plant. Those affected have been identified as Abhishekh Anand, K Nagraj, Balkrishna, Santosh Kumar and Kalidas - all RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) personnel, and Rajesh Kumar, DGM, Bhilai Steel Plant.All the six affected persons are out of danger and the leak has been controlled.