Hundreds of people died and were injured when a chlorine toxic gas tank collapsed in Aqaba, Jordan.
At least 13 people were killed and 250 injured after a large chlorine toxic gas tank fell from a crane onto a ship anchored in Jordan’s port of Aqaba, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan television station reported on June 27. The incident caused an explosion that gave off toxic yellow smoke.
The explosion knocked a truck over, and employees working nearby had to flee.
After the incident, the southern beach of Aqaba was evacuated. The injured were transferred to 2 public hospitals, 1 private hospital and 1 field hospital. However, these hospitals were all full and could not treat more patients. Many of the injured are in critical condition. The death toll may continue to soar.
Jordanian authorities urged Aqaba residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed as a precaution, and warned people not to go to the accident site.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan government has also set up a handling team headed by the Interior Minister to investigate the incident and take necessary countermeasures.
Aqaba is Jordan’s only seaport, and an important transshipment point for the country’s imports and exports.
