A crane loading chlorine tanks on a ship in the port of Jordan d’Aqaba dropped one of them, causing a huge explosion of toxic yellow smoke which would have killed 13 people and injured more than 250. According to the AFP, the authorities would have declared that a chemical the storage container has fallen while being transported as a result of a dysfunction of the crane.
Images of the incident video surveillance showed that the container was hoisted in the air, then suddenly falling on a ship and exploding. A large cloud of bright yellow gas spreads on the ground. Dockers are also seen rushing to escape toxic smoke.
“At exactly 3.15 p.m. this afternoon, a gas chlorine leak occurred in the port of Aqaba following the fall and the explosion of a reservoir containing this substance,” said the cell of Government crisis in a statement, according to AFP.
About 123 people stayed at the hospital on Tuesday, according to the last update of the toll. Some were in critical condition. “The situation in Aqaba is now under control,” said Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh on state television after visiting the port on Monday evening.
After the incident, the authorities advised residents of the city of Aqaba, 16 km north of the port, to stay inside and close the windows and doors. As a precaution, the southern beach of Aqaba was also evacuated. In addition, the Civil Defense Department sent specialized teams to the port to cope with the leakage and cleaning operation.
The Prime Minister of Jordan flew to Aqaba and ordered the Minister of the Interior, Mazen Faraya, to supervise an investigation into the incident.
In addition, the deputy director of the port of Aqaba told Almamlaka TV that a “iron rope” carrying the container “broken” while he was loaded on a ship. He informed that the container was filled with 25 to 30 tonnes of chlorine and was exported to Djibouti.
Chlorine is a chemical used in industry and in household cleaning products. It is a yellow-green gas at normal temperature and pressure. When chlorine is inhaled, swallowed or comes into contact with the skin, it reacts with water to produce acids that damage the cells of the body. The inhalation of high gas levels means that the liquid accumulates in the lungs – a deadly condition known as pulmonary edema.