At least 12 people have been killed after a chlorinated cylinder capsized on a ship docked in a Jordanian port.
The ship, which was anchored in the port of Aqaba, was carrying 25 tons of chlorinated gas cylinders for export. The cylinder, which was being carried by a crane, suddenly fell off. Immediately, yellow poisonous gas spread throughout the area, killing 10 people. More than 250 were injured.
Video footage has emerged of the crane crashing into the ship and spreading the poisonous gas in yellow. It also features footage of workers and shipyard crew pounding and running.
At least 10 people have died and more than 250 injured after a toxic gas leak at Aqaba Port in Jordan. pic.twitter.com/kjTDaPkelw — Suzanne (@suzanneb315) June 27, 2022
Following the incident, authorities instructed residents of Aqaba, 16 km north of the port, to stay inside the house and close the windows and doors. As a precaution, the people of the southern coast of Aqaba were also evacuated. In addition, special teams from the Civil Defense Department have been dispatched to the port to deal with the leak and clean-up operation.
Chlorine Is an important chemical used in industrial and home cleaning products. It is a yellow-green gas at normal temperature and pressure.
When chlorine is inhaled, swallowed, or in contact with the skin, it reacts with water to form acids that damage cells in the body. Inhaling large amounts of gas can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, causing a life-threatening condition called lung inflammation.