AQABA, Jordan – Authorities in the southern Jordanian port city of Aqaba have launched an investigation after an ammonia gas leak at the city’s industrial complex left at least 11 people injured on Monday.
The state-run news channel Al-Mamlaka reported that the leak triggered an immediate emergency response, leading to the precautionary evacuation of the southern port area as crews worked to stabilize the situation.
Nidal Al-Ouran, the commissioner for environment and public safety at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), confirmed that the situation has since been brought under control. According to Al-Ouran, the 11 victims sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate and are currently receiving medical attention.
The incident occurred during scheduled maintenance work in the city’s southern industrial sector. Preliminary reports suggest that the leak originated from an aging pump or associated pressure equipment that had been undergoing repairs. While the facility is situated a significant distance from Aqaba’s primary residential neighborhoods, the highly toxic nature of ammonia necessitated swift action from emergency teams to prevent further exposure.
“A small quantity of ammonia gas that had accumulated within the equipment was released during the maintenance procedure,” Al-Ouran stated. He noted that the work was being conducted on behalf of a Japanese-affiliated firm, though he did not disclose the specific name of the company involved.
Following the containment of the leak, officials from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, alongside specialized technical agencies, deployed teams to the site to conduct air quality testing and safety assessments. These crews are currently performing comprehensive inspections to ensure that any residual chemical hazards have been fully mitigated.
Officials have indicated that personnel will not be permitted to return to their work sites until authorities provide formal clearance. The decision to allow workers back into the industrial zone is contingent upon the results of final measurements, which must confirm that the area is completely free of risk.
Aqaba serves as Jordan’s only seaport and is a critical hub for the country’s industrial sector and global logistics. While the incident caused significant disruption to port operations throughout the day, officials emphasized that the containment efforts were successful and that the threat to the wider public was minimal.
As the cleanup operations continue, investigators are expected to review safety protocols regarding the handling of aging industrial machinery to determine if proper measures were followed during the maintenance work. No further details regarding the conditions of those injured or the exact identity of the maintenance contractor have been released at this time.
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