The families of the deceased and locals in Karachi’s Keamari have staged a protest against the reopening of the factories in the area after the toxic chemical discharge left 19 dead in January.

The protestors blocked the Suparco road by placing blocks and different items claiming that factories are reopened in the area again under the supervision of the authorities.

They also demanded that the compensation promised by provincial minister Nasir Hussain Shah has not been given yet to the victims.

The factories were de-sealed by the environment ministry officials as it is said to be part of the investigation into the matter, sources said.

They were operational for a short duration to examine the process and whether gases discharged from the factory are hazardous or not.

Two factories inside the area have reportedly been emitting foul smell, causing residents in the nearby areas to feel severe irritation in their throats, according to community members.

Initial investigation suggested that the cause of the deaths was some chemicals that developed interstitial lung disease in the victims.

The deaths occurred during the period between January 1 and January 25 and victims included people of all ages.

The victims died within five to seven days after showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and shortness of breath, Sindh Health department officials had said.

Earlier, a mysterious toxic gas leak at Kemari port affected the residents of area, eventually claiming 19 lives and leaving scores in hospital in critical condition.

Global Environmental Labs (GEL) in its initial report claimed that the air in the port area of Kemari has registered an extraordinary increase in the amount of sulfur dioxide presence.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a pungent corrosive gas that arises predominantly from the burning of coal or crude oil in power plants and from factories that produce chemicals, paper, or fuel.

The lab revealed that the normal ranges of the chemical present in the air are around 120 percent which had been bumped up to a whopping 1420 percent since the incident was first reported.

Burning of the eyes is a symptom of access presence of the chemical in the air.