The notice to leave their homes arrived at 10.30 last night. Mass evacuation leads to traffic chaos. It is not known if there are casualties. The plant was built in a densely populated area.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - More than 10 thousand people were evacuated late yesterday after a serious leakage of ammonia from a plant that produces fertilizers.

The people of the district Dingshui, in the city of Nanchong (Sichuan), were ordered to flee at 10.30 last night. Many people scrambled to leave the area by any available means, with motorcycles and cars, causing traffic jams and massive congestion (see photo).

So far it is unknown whether there are victims. Ammonia is a toxic gas with a strong pungent odor. If breathed in large quantities it can cause death because it burns the lungs and leads to swelling of the throat.

The ammonia spill was resolved this morning and the local government has launched an investigation. Several residents have long complained that the fertilizer plant should not have been built in a densely populated area.

• CHINA
• fertilizer
• plant
• ammonia
• spillage
• evacuation
• pollution