Below is a video of a tragic accident that occurred today in Jordan’s Aqaba shipping port.
A 25-Ton ISO Container of Chlorine (Cl2) (like the image to the left) was being lifted off a truck and onto a ship when somehow the container was dropped (too early to know the cause).
The video shows the power of a Liquified Pressurized Gas (Cl2 BP = -29F).
At this posting, there are 10 deceased workers with another 200-250 requiring medical care.
From the Jordanian Chemical Process Safety Engineers Society
Last Monday, June 27th, 2022, at 5:15 pm, an unfortunate #toxic #chlorine gas release at #Jordan’s #Red_Sea port of #Aqaba killed 13 people. It injured more than 300 personnel who primarily suffered from shortness of breath, heavy cough, and vertigo.
The #accident occurred when an ISO container containing (25 to 30) tons of pressurized (6 to 10 bara) #liquified_chlorine, was being loaded onto a freighter (Forest 6) and suddenly the crane’s steel lifting sling failed (snapped). The container was dropped on the edge of the freighter’s deck and then crashed onto the dockside. The force of the fall punctured (ruptured) the container resulting in a violent release of #toxic_chlorine (#IDLH 10 ppm). A large yellow cloud enveloped the area and soon spread across the site.
When liquid chlorine is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. However, on the day of the accident, slow winds blowing northwest to southwest prevented the gas from spreading to the south beach and Aqaba City, which is about 18 km north of the port and is considered a popular tourist destination.
The site was sealed off, and nearby areas were evacuated. More than 2,000 personnel, including #first_responders, #emergency_personnel, and specialists, were deployed to the scene. An investigation team led by the interior minister and forensic specialists was formed to determine the causes of the accident and take the necessary measures.
Chlorine is a toxic, #oxidizing, and #corrosive gas that is about three times heavier than air. When inhaled, swallowed, or come into contact with skin, it reacts with water in the body to produce #hypochlorous and #hydrochloric acid, both of which can create oxygen-free radicals that break down the cell wall in the pulmonary system. Mild exposure can lead to irritation, while exposure to high concentrations may result in pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic respiratory problems, and death.
