Toxic gas leak in Jordan,13 killed and 251 injured

There has been a toxic gas leak which has caused more than 13 deaths and 250 injured. The injuries are said to be severe to moderate. Read more…

 Highlights

• There has been a major toxic chlorine gas leak in Aqaba port in Jordan.
• This has left 251 people injured as well as 12 people dead. 
• The director of the medical department in Aqaba has warned the people to not get out of their home.
• The injuries endured by the people are said to be moderate and serious.

There has been a major chlorine gas leak. 12 people are dead due to this toxic leak. 251 people are injured in this leak. This happened in the port of Aqaba in Jordan. The hospitals were full and the officials had to open a field hospital to treat the injured people.

The toxic gas leak happened after a tanker filled with the gas crashed into a ship during transportation. It contained between 25 to 30 tonnes of chlorine in the tanker.

Chlorine is a chemical used in industry and in household cleaning. It is this green-yellow gas at a general pressure and temperature. When inhaled, swallowed or comes in contact with skin, the gas reacts with water to create acids and this acid causes cell damage in the human body. Inhaling in high levels can cause fluid to build up in the lung and cause a life threatening condition called pulmonary oedema. 

 More death possible due to toxic gas leak

In the wake of the incident, the officials advised the residents of Aqaba city that is 16 km north of the port, to stay inside their houses and close windows and doors. Aqaba’s south beach was also evacuated as a precaution. The civil defense department of Jordan has sent a group of specialists to investigate this toxic gas leak. 

Information minister Faisal Al Shboul said that the government has sorted out a field hospital and medical apparatus to Aqaba to take care of those injured. The governor of Aqaba has told national TV that the situation is controlled now. Response team are gauging the damage. Several tourists rush to the Nabatean city of Petra situated two hours away.  

Aqaba Health Department’s Obeidat, further said that there could be more deaths linked to this toxic gas leak.