Chlorine gasoline leak kills 12, injures 251 at Jordan port

At least 12 individuals died and 251 have been injured in a chlorine gasoline leak from a storage tank at Jordan’s Aqaba port, officers and state media reported on Monday.

The leak got here after a tank stuffed with 25 tonnes of chlorine gasoline being exported to Djibouti fell whereas being transported, officers stated.

A video posted on state tv’s Twitter web page confirmed a storage tank falling from a winch and slamming into the deck of a ship, adopted by yellow-coloured gasoline rising into the air as individuals ran away.

Health ministry officers stated they anticipated solely a handful of individuals to stay hospitalised by Tuesday.

Chlorine is a broadly used disinfectant and water purification agent, but when inhaled, the gasoline turns to hydrochloric acid, which might result in inside burning and drowning by means of a reactionary launch of water within the lungs.

#عاجل | فيديو حادث تسرب غاز من صهريج في العقبة#الأردن #العقبة #التلفزيون_الأردني pic.twitter.com/MZqeoUvxtG

— Jordan TV-التلفزيون الأردني (@JrtvMedia) June 27, 2022

Jordan’s Aqaba grain silos halted work to permit inspection of its grains and for any indicators of contamination, however maritime site visitors at Aqaba ports continues, officers stated.

There have been no vessels unloading any grains cargo on the time of the incident, they added.

Aqaba port on the north finish of the Red Sea has lengthy been a significant transit route for Iraqi imports and exports.
Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh arrived at Aqaba and headed to a hospital the place a number of the injured have been being handled, state TV reported.

Al-Khasawneh additionally shaped an investigation staff into the incident chaired by the inside minister, state TV cited the knowledge minister as saying.