NAN-F-42
Acid
Duseeldorf, Feb. 16, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Some 150 people have sought medical attention after an accident at a chemicals plant in Oberhausen caused sulphuric acid to enter the atmosphere, according to the fire brigade.
“Forty of those suffering from respiratory problems are employees of Hamm Chemie, the company is responsible for the leak.
“The 110 others are employees of a waste disposal company,’’ a spokesman for Hamm Chemie said.
The spokesman said the leak occurred when hydrochloric acid came into contact with sulphuric acid as a ship was being unloaded, causing toxic gas to enter the atmosphere.
Traffic in the surrounding area was being redirected and an unspecified number of residents were evacuated from their homes, police said.
Residents were advised not to leave their homes, and to keep their windows shut.
Oberhausen is in western Germany’s industrial Ruhr region, which is home to many of the country’s largest companies including industrial giant Thyssen-Krupp and energy company EON. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Sadiya Hamza