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POLICE AND EMERGENCY services in Northern Ireland are currently dealing with a toxic gas leak at Warrenpoint Harbour in Co Down.
At this stage 18 people have been injured by the effects of the gas. Nine casualties have been taken to Daisy Hill Hospital and a further nine were treated at the scene.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said they were currently dealing with “a hazardous incident at Warrenpoint Harbour involving a toxic substance which has become unstable on board a vessel at the harbour”.
RTE reported that the ship was carrying aluminium phosphide, a pesticide used to kill rodents.
The call about the leak was received this morning at 9.42am and the NIFRS said the incident is ongoing with eight Appliances, three Special Appliances and a Command Support Unit at the scene.
A 50 meter cordon has been put in place in the area and a number of homes have been evacuated from Newry Street to the Square. The ship is being held within this cordon. The Town Hall has been made available for those evacuated.
Police are advising nearby residents to close all windows and doors. Due to the north east wind blowing at present residents in Omeath and Carlingford in Co Louth are also being advised to close all windows and doors.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has advised that all risk of adverse health effects associated with this incident applies only to those who have come into direct contact with the gas.
The emergency services are currently identifying and treating all such individuals, the NIFRS spokesperson said.
“The PHA is emphasising that there is no risk to the wider public, but asks that people in the general area cooperate with the authorities to ensure that this incident is handled safely and effectively.”
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They should be towing that ship to a safe anchorage and allow a venting dispersal.
Alongside mooring is too dangerous to the area.
Do you feel it would be ok for the sailors to be aboard to release lines and take the vessel out of the port ? There is quite a bit of preparation to going to anchor and I think keeping the sailors safe should be as much of a priority.
The ship would be towed out to a mooring thatwould allow for ranging and wind dispersal.
The vessel would be decontaminated in a safe manner.
The moorings are plentyful and the ships anchor has to comply with minimum SOLAS requirements.
The gas is aluminium phosphide, a pesticide used to kill small mammals such as rodents who eat grains and cereals stored in cargo ships and grain silos. This incident shows how harmful these pesticides are.
I hope everyone involved recovers. You have to wonder what the long term effects are on consumers when our food is being treated with deadly toxins like this.
Pull my finger.
have your say