KARACHI, FEB 24 (DNA) :  A six-member team has been constituted to investigate into the Keamari poisonous gas leakage mystery that had resulted in the death of 14 people, police told the media on Monday.

The team will be headed by SSP City Muqaddas Haider, and will identify person(s) responsible for the cause of spread of the toxic gas in the region.

Last week, Karachi’s commissioner forwarded a report to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in the same case.

In the report, the commissioner stated that the particles of soybean dust were found in the blood samples of the victims. He suggested to stop offloading of the soybean at the Karachi Port.

The commissioner assured the CM that the situation was under control as steps were taken to handle the matter.

SAA denies reports of dangerous gas emissions from soybean

Ships Agents Association had strongly denied reports of dangerous gas emissions from soybean and said that soybean was not related to chemicals as “it is an agricultural product.”

Soybean is being handled at the port without any damage for years and no one from the workers on the ship got affected by it, the association stated.

The statement further claimed that first victim of the poisonous gas was admitted in the hospital even before the ship got anchored.

On the other hand, Sindh government issued an advisory according to which, the soybean dust caused itching in the mouth, eczema, throat inflammation and choked breathing.

ICCBS suggests soybean dust causing respiratory problems

Earlier, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) had revealed that “exposure to soybean dust” is causing severe respiratory problems for the locals of Keamari, an area of Karachi.

The report suggested to give bronchodilators and antihistamines to the patients admitted in the hospitals. It also recommended the local authorities to take extreme care during unloading of soybean containers from now on.

“Kindly note that soybean dust exposure related epidemics have been reported earlier from other parts of the world with associated morbidity and mortality,” the report stated.

SEA rejects ICCBS report on toxic gas

On the other hand, All Pakistan Solvent Extractors’ Association rejected the report, saying that the first patient was hospitalised even before the soybean was unloaded.

“None of the around 400 labourers and ship crew who are involved in the discharge operation has been affected,” the statement said.

“The vessel was thoroughly inspected by the Department of Plant Protection after it arrived in Pakistan and they found nothing,” the association said.