KOROR (Palau Horizon) — At least 23 people were brought to the hospital due to suffocation reportedly caused by a container leaking toxic substance in Ngerbeched.
Patrol Chief John Elechuus said the incident took place at around 12:40 noon near the barracks of Hanpa Industrial Corp. employees.
He said concerted efforts of the Bureau of the Public Safety, the Fire and Rescue Division and the Environmental Quality Protection Board prevented further damages caused by the toxic fumes.
Prior to the incident, Elechuus said witnesses heard an explosion which prompted some residents to immediately alert authorities.
Elechuus said the Patrol Division also sought the assistance of the National Emergency Management Office to secure the area. He said most of the victims had been released except for six others who reportedly needed further medical observation.
According to EQPB Executive Director Marhence Madranchar, preliminary testing and investigation indicated that the toxic substance was compressed chlorine.
“They were used during the early operation of the existing wastewater treatment plant in the late 1970s to treat sewage effluent prior to discharging into the lagoon on Malakal Island. Serious cases of compressed chlorine may be fatal,” he said.
During the incident, personnel from the Fire and Rescue Division were able to hose down the container to reduce the spread of toxic fumes. Officers from the Patrol Division helped to isolate the area while maintaining traffic flow to and from the hamlet.
