The tank had 25 tonnes of Chlorine gas
Jordan’s Aqaba Port observed a toxic gas leak from a storage tank claiming the lives of 12 people and 260 others were injured, according to the Petra, News agency, Jordan.
Soon after which the Civil Defense Service was deployed in the area.
The state authorities have asked people staying nearby to stay indoors and shut all windows in order to stop the poisonous gas, Chlorine, from entering their houses.
According to Petra, Jordan’s news agency, Jordan’s Crown Prince, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, followed evacuation and rescue operations by competent authorities. Further monitoring developments of the accident from inside the National Center For Security And Crisis operations room.
Faisal al-Shaboul, a government spokesperson, initially said that five people were dead but later revised it to 13. Petra also quoted from the public security directorate stating that the gas exploded when a crane failed to move a tank filled with it.
It fell in the middle of the transportation process and caused a major explosion and leakage of the poisonous gas, Chlorine.
The tank had 25 tonnes of Chlorine gas, which was being exported to Djibouti, officials said.
Meanwhile, Jordan authorities are figuring out the impact of the situation. Al-Mamlaka TV, local state media reported that 199 people were still being treated in the nearby hospitals after the gas leak.
The Health ministry officials said that they are expecting only a handful of people to remain hospitalized by Tuesday. Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh and Minister Mazen al-Faraya headed to the site after the incident broke out in Aqaba.
Picture Source : Reuters
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