10 die in toxic gas leak in Jordan

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan (AA) - At least ten people lost their lives on Monday in a toxic gas leak in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, according to local authorities.

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said 251 people were also affected by the gas leak from a tank at Aqaba port.

"Specialists and hazardous materials teams in the Civil Defense Authority are currently dealing with the gas leak,” Col. Amer Al-Sartawi, a spokesman for the directorate, said in a statement.

The spokesman said a tanker filled with a toxic gaseous substance fell during its transportation, causing a gas leak at the site.

“The area was immediately isolated and specialists began to deal with the incident,” he added.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara