Singapore oil worker jailed for toxic gas leak that killed Indian

A senior technician at the Singapore Refining Company (SRC) has been sentenced to four months in jail for his negligence during a fatal gas leak in 2020 that resulted in the death of an Indian national.

Leck Ching Hwa, 47, admitted neglecting his duties at the Jurong Island refinery, The Straits Times reported.

A gas leak occurred on September 17, 2020, resulting in the death of 30-year-old Indian national Palanivel Pandidurai.

Palanivel and his colleague Periyasamy Kolanginathan were both working for a contractor company called PEC at the refinery when they were exposed to toxic hydrogen sulfide gas (a colorless poisonous gas with a foul odor similar to rotten eggs).

This gas is commonly found in the production of crude oil and natural gas.

A gas leak caused them to collapse and a third worker, Narayanan Murasoli, also collapsed while trying to help them.

Court documents did not reveal details about their nationalities or ages, The Straits Times reported on Monday.

All three workers were rushed to hospital.

Periyasamy and Narayanan were injured but survived.

However, Palanivir suffered chemical burns to a large part of his body and later suffered multiple organ failure. Five days later, on September 22, 2020, he died.

According to Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Melvyn Low, Palanivel suffered burns to 40% of his body.

Periyasamy suffered minor burns (9.5%) and was discharged from hospital after a few days.

Narayanan suffered chemical damage to his eyes and abrasions but was discharged from hospital after three days.