The situation is currently under control at the port of Aqaba, in Jordan, one day after 13 people died due to the fall of a transport tanker from which chlorine, a toxic gas, escaped.
Aqaba, one of the main ports on the Red Sea, is the only Jordanian port from which most Jordanian imports and exports are made. Aqaba is also a major resort. "The situation in Aqaba is now under control," said Prime Minister Bisher al-Hasawneh.
13 dead and 250 injured
According to a latest official count, 13 people, including eight Jordanians and four Asians, died in the crash and more than 250 were injured, of whom 123 are still hospitalized.
Al-Hasauneh, who went to the port of Aqaba, told state television that there were no fears that the gas could reach residential areas. "But we decided to isolate the sector for a few more hours" for precautionary reasons, he added.
The prime minister also said he had instructed the interior minister, General Mazen al-Faraja, to head the investigation into this tragedy and to guarantee "all means to ensure the full safety of workers at the ports and all the necessary precautions regarding hazardous materials."
According to General Faraya, port activities are to resume today, with the exception of those at Pier 4, where the accident occurred, "so that we can ensure that the place is completely safe."
[BR][BR]Yesterday, Monday afternoon a chlorine leak occurred at the port after a tanker carrying liquefied gas fell, according to the government cell set up to deal with the crisis.
Images broadcast by state-run Al-Mamlaka television show a crane carrying the tanker before it fell while on top of the ship. Immediately after the impact, a thick yellow cloud can be seen escaping from the tanker as people try to flee.
Source: APM
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
