24 factory workers seek treatment after ammonia leak (updated)

MELAKA: Twenty-four poultry processing factory workers in Merlimau here are being treated at Melaka Hospital following an ammonia gas leak on Tuesday (Sept 3).

Melaka Fire and Rescue Department said the workers, including six women, suffered breathing difficulties and dozens of ambulances were dispatched to ferry the ill to the hospital.

The department’s public relations officer Soon Wee Kiang said its Hazardous Material Unit (Hazmat) is at the site to detect the leak.

Soon said a distress call was received at 11.42am and the team is still operating at the site.

He said the operation has been taken over by Melaka police and an official statement on the incident is expected to be issued by police as it now involves national security.

Meanwhile, a total of 120 students from SK Paya Redan, which is near the factory, were ordered to evacuate the school premises, Bernama reported.

Melaka Education director Datuk Abu Bakar Sahari said parents of the affected students were told to fetch their children from school.

This follows after the Fire and Rescue Department notified the school of the incident and ordered an immediate evacuation.