Ammonia leak: 210 in hospital

2006-05-10 16:20

Cape Town - The number of patients admitted to hospital after an ammonia leak at a factory in Crawford, Cape Town, has risen to more than 210, said emergency services on Wednesday.

Dr Shaheen de Vries said a total of 130 patients from the ice cream factory were rushed to different hospitals at 13:00.

"About 80 pupils from neighbouring schools and a number of other affected people were also taken to hospital."

De Vries said patients complained of headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath and some vomited.

He said all patients were in a stable condition, and no serious cases were reported.

The leaked ammonia gas spread rapidly as it moved with the wind, affecting the area around the factory, said De Vries.

Gas leak was contained

Johan Minnie of municipal disaster management said a chemical smell and "chemical visibility in the air" were reported by a member of the public.

"Our personnel rushed to the factory and the ammonia leak was contained."

Minnie said factory workers were evacuated and pupils from a nearby school were treated. Workers from nearby factories also were evacuated.

The cause of the leak had not been established and investigations would follow after damage assessment was finished, he said.

The factory had been closed until it was safe to resume production.

Metro police, emergency health personnel and the fire brigade were also at the factory, said Minnie.

- SAPA