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Jordan reveals cause of Aqaba port Chlorine gas leakage
Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Farrayeh said on Sunday (July 3), an investigation showed the main cause of the gas leak incident in Aqaba port was the lack of conformity of the metallic cable to the weight of the cargo, which resulted in the break of the cable.
Speaking during a press conference in Amman, Farrayeh said the case has been referred to the prosecutor general, the Xinhua reported.
The minister said, an investigation into the incident showed there was a lack of precautions for public safety in handling such hazardous items.
The investigation also found that some officials delegated tasks to untrained personnel.
As a result, the government has sacked the directors general of the Jordan Maritime Commission and the Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management.
The incident at Aqaba port resulted in the death of eight Jordanians and five Vietnamese.
Jordan’s state media reported (June 26) that leak of toxic chlorine gas at Red Sea port of Aqaba has killed 13 people and injured more than 260 others.
CCTV footage showed the container being hoisted into the air and then suddenly dropping on to a ship and exploding.
Chlorine gas leak kills 13, injures 250 at Jordan's Aqaba port
State media said on Monday night (June 26) that 123 of the injured were still being treated at local hospitals for chemical exposure. Some were reportedly in a critical condition.
Chlorine is a chemical used in industry and in household cleaning products. It is a yellow-green gas at normal temperature and pressure, but is usually pressurised and cooled to change it into a liquid for storage and shipment, the BBC noted.
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