Steam rises from equipment at the Rassoul Al-Khair asphalt plant in the Khalis district of Diyala governorate following an ammonia gas leak that trapped workers and prompted an emergency response by police and civil defense teams.
Gas leak kills two, traps workers at Diyala asphalt plant
DIYALA — Police and civil defense teams rescued 19 workers Sunday after they were trapped inside the Rassoul Al-Khair asphalt plant in the Khalis district following an ammonia gas leak, while two workers died from suffocation, authorities said.
Diyala Police said in a statement that “after receiving information about an ammonia gas leak inside the Rassoul Al-Khair asphalt plant in the Khalis district, and under the direct orders of Diyala Police Commander Major General Staff Mohammed Kazem Atiya, patrols from the Khalis Police Department, in coordination with civil defense units, immediately moved to the site.”
The statement said that “through intensive field efforts, the joint teams managed to rescue 19 workers who were trapped inside the plant, while the deaths of two workers were recorded after inhaling ammonia gas.”
Police said “the necessary legal measures were taken, the injured were transferred to Khalis Hospital to receive treatment, and the relevant authorities continue to follow up on the circumstances of the incident.”