Almost 900 workers evacuated after chemical spill at Ipswich meat processing plant, five hospitalised
Almost 900 workers were evacuated from an Ipswich meat processing facility in Queensland, Australia after a liquid ammonia spill shortly after midnight. Five people were hospitalised while emergency teams secured the site.
According to ABC News Australia, a liquid ammonia spill occurred shortly after midnight at a meat processing facility in Ipswich, Queensland. Around 900 workers on site at the time were evacuated immediately.
Five people were taken to hospital for treatment, while Queensland Fire and Emergency Services applied hazardous-materials protocols and investigated the cause and source of the leak. Authorities said the spread risk to surrounding residential areas was being kept limited.
Workplace health and safety inspectors said the cooling unit and storage infrastructure would be reviewed during the closure of the plant. Ammonia, widely used in the meat processing sector, can pose serious respiratory risks in the event of a leak.
More from Australia-Pacific
New Zealand natural gas reserves decline to lowest level in 20 years
New Zealand's proven natural-gas reserves have fallen to their lowest level in 20 years, RNZ reported. The decline of a fuel critical for industry and electricity raises new questions over prices and climate policy.
Coalition to propose permanent end to tax bracket creep in Australia
Australia's opposition Coalition will propose automatically indexing income-tax brackets to inflation, ABC News reported. The change would offer a permanent fix to 'bracket creep,' which pushes taxpayers into higher bands as wages chase inflation.
Australia launches first America's Cup challenge in 25 years
Australia announced its return to the prestigious America's Cup sailing competition by entering a team for the first time in a quarter of a century. The crew will compete in the 38th edition of the event, set to be held in Naples, Italy next year.