8 taken to hospital due to ammonia leak in Taguig

CHEMICAL LEAK Authorities close the gate of an ice plant and cordoned it off due to an ammonia leak in Barangay New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City. Affected residents were evacuated.—RICHARD A. REYES

Several families were evacuated while eight people were rushed to the hospital on Monday morning after ammonia leaked from an ice plant in Barangay New Lower Bicutan in Taguig City.

In a statement on Monday, the Taguig City government said that firefighters and rescue teams responded at around 8 a.m. upon receiving a report regarding an ammonia leak at an ice plant along M.L. Quezon St.

The leak was “successfully contained” by 9 a.m., said the Bureau of Fire Protection.

According to one of the factory workers, the tube carrying ammonia suddenly came loose while they were draining the oil pack.

Classes at nearby Ricardo P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School was suspended to ensure the safety of the students.

No casualties have been reported except for eight people who had difficulty breathing.

Authorities will conduct an investigation because the pipe may have become loose due to the safety seal or lock not being properly fastened.

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Residents relocated

Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Office is assisting affected residents in relocating to the designated evacuation site at Hagonoy Gymnasium.

Local authorities have also set up an incident command center in front of the school to facilitate the delivery of immediate and up-to-date information regarding the ammonia leak’s impact.

All barangays in Taguig are on alert for any emergency following the leak. INQ