Almost 900 workers evacuated after chemical spill at Ipswich meat plant
An ammonia leak at a meat processing plant in Ipswich, in Australia's Queensland state, led to the evacuation of almost 900 workers. Emergency teams cordoned off the area and measured atmospheric concentration. The official statement said there were no serious injuries at this stage.
Queensland Emergency Services said 875 workers were precautionarily evacuated after a chemical spill caused by ammonia at a meat-processing plant in Ipswich, west of Brisbane. The incident began during the morning shift after a warning of a leak from the cooling system, and plant managers halted all production lines.
Fire crews, environmental emergency teams and HAZMAT response units moved to the site and carried out a comprehensive sweep of the area. Authorities said they had set up a buffer zone with a radius of about 500 metres around the plant, and that two primary schools in the vicinity had also been evacuated as a precaution. Initial atmospheric readings indicate the leak is being brought under control.
The Queensland Emergency Services Minister confirmed there were no serious injuries in the accident and said the event had been managed professionally. The plant's owner company said the production lines would undergo an independent engineering review before being restarted. The incident could trigger fresh debate over ammonia-safety inspections at meat-processing plants.
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