One of the surrounding CCTV cameras captured the container being transported by a crane before it dropped and released a cloud of yellow gaseous material into the port, which was then shown by state-owned al-Mamlaka TV. After the container fell, the video showed people fleeing.
As of 4:15pm on Monday, the National Center for Security and Crisis Management (NSCM) issued a statement stating that an incident had happened in the port of Aqaba owing to the fall and explosion of a tank storing chlorine gas (NCSCM).
Jordan’s Civil Defense sent a hazardous materials team to the location, a representative for the PSD said. The Jordanian Civil Defense issued a statement saying that the area had been quarantined.
According to Jordan’s media minister Faisal Shboul, the hazardous leak had been brought “under control” and no longer presented any risk by Monday evening local time.
The scene was disinfected and roped off to prevent further injuries, Shboul said.
Teams in hazmat suits were seen at the scene of the incident, as shown by Jordan’s state television.
At least eight of the victims killed were Jordanians; the rest were of various nationalities, the ministry said.
There are currently 123 injured people being treated in hospitals. According to the country’s Public Security Directorate, 45 of them are members of the Public Security Directorate, Civil Defense, and Gendarmerie Cadres First Responders.
Jordanian state television cited the head of the Aqaba Health Directorate, Jamal Obeidat, as saying that nearby hospitals treating the injured had reached full capacity.
It was reported by al-Mamlaka TV that Obeidat stated that field hospitals will be sent and ordered Aqaba residents to stay inside and close all of their windows.
Assisting in the evacuation effort were a number of helicopters and planes.
Aqaba is a popular Red Sea vacation destination. According to Tourism Commissioner Nidal Al Magali, the gas diffusion had a limited impact due to moderate winds, which has scared many tourists.
Zayn Malik's sincere search for a real connection was greeted with suspicion and charges of catfishing in a world where…
Taylor Swift is one of the most famous American singers known for her unbeatable songs and natural beauty. She is…
Alice Guo's story isn't your typical political tale. Born in 1986 in Tarlac to a Filipino-Chinese father and a Filipino…
Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO in a statement in May 2023 said how his company was trying to incorporate the use…
Chinese-Indonesians are a vibrant community that have long been a part of Indonesian society, yet throughout history they have been…
With the end of the decade fast approaching, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a report outlining the world's…
This website uses cookies.
Read More