A chemical scare gripped Tarapur MIDC on Monday evening after dense hydrochloric acid fumes leaked from the Aarti Drugs plant, forcing residents of nearby Shivajinagar and Salwad to flee their homes in panic. Civic officials confirmed that no one has been injured due to the gas leak.

The leak was reported around 7 pm from Plot No. T-150, where production was underway. A crack in a storage system led to acid vapour escaping into the air. Within minutes, locals complained of burning eyes, throat irritation and difficulty in breathing.