A major ammonia leak at a fertiliser plant in Weatherford, Texas, prompted a large-scale emergency response on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of 500 residents and sending 36 people to hospital with respiratory complaints.A hazardous materials team managed to contain the spill after six hours, but the incident has raised serious questions about industrial safety in the community.
The leak began in the early hours of the morning, originating from a tanker truck on the plant’s property. A visible cloud of anhydrous ammonia, a pungent and toxic gas, drifted through the area, leading authorities to declare an immediate evacuation zone within a one-mile radius.
Residents were hurriedly directed to a temporary shelter at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Emergency services reported that 36 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, primarily for burning sensations in their eyes and throats and difficulty breathing. All were reported to be in a stable condition.
Weatherford Fire Chief James Karlin addressed the media during the incident. “The ammonia cloud made the air unsafe to breathe within a one-mile radius. Our priority was to get people out of harm’s way immediately. The hazmat team has now stopped the leak and we are monitoring air quality,” he said.
One evacuated resident, still shaken, described the panic. “We heard a loud hiss and then a smell that burned our eyes and throat. We just grabbed the kids and ran. It was terrifying.” The plant manager issued a statement expressing regret and pledging a full investigation.
The broader implications of this accident focus on the ubiquitous use of hazardous chemicals in agricultural regions and the proximity of such facilities to populated areas. Anhydrous ammonia is a crucial ingredient in fertiliser but is highly corrosive and can cause severe respiratory damage.
The United States is the world’s top producer of ammonia. This incident is likely to trigger an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency and could result in significant fines, echoing concerns raised by a similar chemical spill in Ohio in 2023.
For the residents of Weatherford, the event is a stark reminder of the potential danger in their backyard, and local groups are already demanding more stringent safety audits and greater transparency from the plant’s operators.
Written by Were Kelly
Sources: KOCO, Mirror US.
