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The tank fell while being loaded onto a ship
At least 11 people were killed in Jordan following a tanker carrying toxic materials fell while it was being loaded onto a ship.
About 250 others were injured in the port of Aqaba, and the director of the port authority confirmed that the leaked gas was chlorine.
The tank was filled with between 25 and 30 tons of chlorine.
The images of the surveillance cameras showed the fall of a silver tank on the deck of the ship following it was suspended from a crane, and suddenly it fell and exploded, releasing poisonous gas from it.
The deputy director of the port of Aqaba told the local Al-Mamlaka channel that an “iron rope” carrying the tanker “broke” while it was being loaded onto a ship.
People were seen escaping as soon as a cloud of yellow gas spread across the dock and on the deck of the ship, which was on its way to transport the gas shipment to the state of Djibouti.
State media said 199 of the wounded were receiving treatment in local hospitals for exposure to chemicals. Some of them are reported to be in critical condition.
Chlorine is a chemical used in industry and household cleaning products. It is a yellow-green gas at normal temperature and pressure, but is usually compressed and cooled for storage and shipment.
When chlorine is inhaled, ingested, or in contact with the skin, it reacts with water to produce acids that destroy cells in the body. Inhaling high levels of chlorine causes fluid to build up in the lungs, a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary edema.
Residents of the city of Aqaba, 16 kilometers north of the port, were advised to stay indoors and close windows and doors following the leak.
AFP reported that the southern beach of Aqaba, which is only 7 kilometers away and is a popular tourist destination, was evacuated as a precaution.
The Civil Defense Department sent specialized teams to the port to deal with the leakage and cleaning process.
The Jordan News Agency said specialized teams are currently dealing with the toxic leak, an emergency field hospital has been set up, and those living in the area have been asked to stay indoors with doors and windows closed.
Civil Defense spokesman Amer Al-Sartawi said that 234 people were injured following the tanker carrying 25 tons of poisonous chlorine gas fell.
photo released, The Twitter account of the Public Security Directorate in Jordan
The Jordanian Prime Minister, Bishr Al-Khasawneh, and the Jordanian Minister of Interior, Mazen Al-Faraya, moved to the site of the accident, according to local media.
The Prime Minister formed a team to investigate the circumstances of the accident, and visited the injured in the hospital.
For his part, the Director of Aqaba Governorate Health, Jamal Obeidat, said that the hospitals in the area are overcrowded and “cannot receive more cases. The injured range from moderate to critical.”
The Jordanian government spokesman also demanded not to approach the site of the accident, adding that medical reinforcements were sent to the area.
According to the Jordanian authorities, the beach of Aqaba was evacuated following the accident, and evacuation planes were sent to the area.
The port of Aqaba is the only sea port for Jordan, and a transit point for many of its exports and imports.
