Ammon – The Governor of Aqaba, Ayman Al-Awaisha, announced that the number of people injured in an incident of sulfuric acid fumes leaking inside a factory in Aqaba Governorate had risen to 43, stressing that all cases are under health control.

Al-Awaysha explained that six of the injured are in good health condition, and will be admitted for 24-hour medical observation in accordance with the approved treatment protocol, noting that the remaining injuries are in good condition and were treated in the field or in hospitals.

The media spokesman for the Public Security Directorate had previously stated that the civil defense crews in Aqaba, with the support of the Aqaba Support Group, dealt with the leakage of sulfuric acid fumes from a factory, which led to the formation of a chemical cloud with an area estimated at 400 square meters, and the spread of the fumes around the site.

He pointed out that the accident initially resulted in 33 people suffering from shortness of breath, who were taken to hospitals, while two cases were admitted to intensive care, before the concerned authorities later announced that the number had risen to 43 cases.

According to the Public Security Directorate, the factory’s technical team responded immediately to the leak and began implementing containment measures, while the hazardous materials teams of the Civil Defense took all operational and technical measures in accordance with the approved protocols, using the latest devices and technologies that were recently introduced into service.

The specialized ambulance teams also began providing first aid to the injured at the site, and then transporting them to the nearest hospitals to receive the necessary care.

The media spokesman confirmed that the competent authorities opened a joint investigation with other concerned authorities to determine the causes of the leak, while the technical measurements of the hazardous materials team showed that the percentage of gases in the atmosphere was now within normal rates.