SANDAKAN – An ammonia gas leak from a broken ice machine here today left a worker seriously injured, while 12 others experienced breathing difficulties and suffered sores on their eyes and skin.
In a statement, the Fire and Rescue Department said the Sandakan fire station received a call about the incident at an ice factory at Mile 3 at about 10am.
Police immediately evacuated and closed the surrounding area within a 100-m radius, while all the victims, including nine men and four women, have been sent to the hospital by Emergency Medical Rescue Services and an ambulance.
“It was learned that the ice-making machine at the factory broke, causing a leakage of ammonia gas.
“The Fire Department personnel put on full personal protective equipment chemical protective suits and helped victims who were initially trapped inside the premises escape,” the department said.
They then decontaminated and sanitised the entire area while inspecting and evacuating the nearby buildings.
The area was declared safe, and the operation ended at 12.06pm.
However, the Fire and Rescue Department assured that they would continue to monitor the situation. – November 10, 2023