Major Emergency in Oklahoma After Toxic Gas Leak
Hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes and dozens required hospital treatment after a dangerous ammonia gas leak from a tanker truck in an Oklahoma city. The incident, which occurred in Weatherford, prompted a large-scale emergency response and serious public health warnings.
Timeline of the Emergency
The crisis began shortly before 10pm on Wednesday when a tanker truck started leaking anhydrous ammonia gas in a hotel parking lot. Authorities confirmed the truck released a significant plume of the hazardous chemical, creating an immediate danger for people in the vicinity.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as reports came in of people experiencing respiratory distress. City officials stated that at least 36 people were transported to local hospitals for treatment following exposure to the toxic gas.
Community Impact and Response
The scale of the disruption became clear by Thursday morning, with authorities confirming that 500 to 600 people had sought refuge in emergency shelters. The leak triggered widespread community disruption, with several nursing homes being evacuated and local schools closing for the day.
Southwest Oklahoma State University took the precaution of cancelling all classes at its Weatherford campus. Local law enforcement urgently warned residents that the air in the affected area was unsafe to breathe, while authorities confirmed they were continuously monitoring air quality levels.
Anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer for crops like corn and wheat, poses serious health risks. The chemical can cause severe burns if it touches skin in either gas or liquid form.
Weatherford, with a population of approximately 12,000 residents and located about 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, faced its second major chemical incident in recent weeks, following an anhydrous ammonia leak caused by an explosion at a plant in Mississippi.
