Not less than 10 folks have been killed on Monday when a chlorine gasoline storage tank was dropped and leaked toxic fumes on the Aqaba port in Jordan.
Officers mentioned that the 25 tons of chlorine have been supposed to be transported to Djibouti.
Footage proven on state tv confirmed the tank falling from a crane and hitting the deck of a ship beneath which resulted in a big cloud of yellow gasoline rising into the air. Folks have been seen operating away from the scene.
“Specialists and the hazardous substances group within the civil protection are dealing” with the incident, civil protection spokesman Amer al-Sartawy mentioned. He added that greater than 250 folks had been injured.
Residents informed to remain residence
Civil protection personnel rushed to the scene, some in hazmat fits, whereas the injured have been taken to close by hospitals.
“The injured individuals are in medium to important situation,” Aqaba well being director Jamal Obeidat mentioned, including that the hospitals within the space have been full.
He additionally informed locals to “keep of their houses and shut all home windows as a precaution.”
Prime Minister Bishr al-Kasawneh and Inside Minister Mazen al-Faraya additionally made their method to the scene of the incident, in accordance with state media.
Al-Kasawneh launched an investigation, to be headed by the inside minister, into the leak.
An official from the Aqaba Ports Authority mentioned that the gasoline leak had occurred after an iron rope holding the container broke.
The Aqaba port is located on the Pink Sea, near Jordan’s border with Israel, and is the nation’s solely marine terminal.
ab/wd (Reuters, AFP, AP)