Ice plant worker dead, scores hurt in Navotas ammonia leak

An ice plant worker died while 76 persons were injured after ammonia leaked from the facility in Navotas City on Monday afternoon.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said 59 of the victims were rushed to the Navotas City Hospital while 17 were taken to the Tondo General Hospital in Manila.

"Six na minors at saka 11 adults ang nasa Tondo General," he said.

The fatality was identified as Gilbert Tiangco, 44. He was a worker at the plant.

“Umabot sa 61 po ang mga pasyenteng dinala natin sa ospital at isa sa kanila ang binawian ng buhay," the mayor said in a Facebook post.

"Mayroon din pong mga residente na dumiretso na sa ospital. Kasalukuyan pa po nating biniberipika ang datos nito,” he added.

Tiangco said the plant was owned by his mother's family. He apologized and vowed compensation for those who were affected by the leak.

Around early Wednesday evening, Tiangco said the smell of the chemical already subsided citing observations by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

“Sa ngayon po ay nasarado na ang valve na nagleak at hinihintay na lamang nating humupa ang amoy ng ammonia," Tiangco said.

"Tinatayang aabot ng 2-3 oras bago po humupa ang amoy sa lugar kaya nagpahanda na rin po tayo ng food packs sa ating CSWDO para sa mga apektadong residente,” he added.

Tiangco earlier ordered the evacuation of residents on Radial Road 10 after the ammonia leak was reported at the T.P. Marcelo Ice Plant and Cold Storage on Barangay North Bay Boulevard South.

As of 6:55 p.m., Tiangco said all communities near the area were already evacuated.

The residents will be brought to evacuation centers in the city.

The cause of the leak has yet to be determined.

Tiangco said he had already ordered the temporary closure of the facility, which is owned by his relative.

This is the second ammonia leak incident in the city.

Tiangco said an ammonia leak also occurred in an ice plant on Lapu-Lapu Avenue weeks ago. -NB, GMA News