Chemical accident at Horana factory leaves 5 dead

• 10 others hospitalised
• Factory manager arrested

By Skandha Gunasekara

An accident at a rubber factory in Horana yesterday left five people dead and a further 10 hospitalised, Police sources told the Daily FT.

Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara revealed that an employee at the rubber processing factory in Horana had fallen into a vat of ammonia.

“A group of people had then gone to help the victim,” he said, resulting in 15 people succumbing to the toxic fumes of the ammonia.

Ammonia is commonly used in the rubber industry to stop premature coagulation of latex and similar components in rubber.

The victim who had fallen in had died while being transported to the Horana hospital while four others had died soon after while being treated.

The remaining 10 individuals are currently being treated at the Horana hospital, the Police Spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the manager of rubber factory, Rathnasiri Edirisinghe of Ganegoda Road, Werahera, Boralesgamuwa, was arrested by the Horana police.

The Horana Acting Magistrate is due to visit the rubber factory, Police informed the Daily FT.