One dead in ammonia gas leak at Sandakan factory

KOTA KINABALU: A man was killed after ammonia gas leaked at an ice manufacturing factory in Sandakan.

Sandakan OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Fuad Abd Malek said prior to the 10am incident yesterday, a group of seven people were carrying out maintenance on one of the machines.

“During the repair works, one pipe burst and ammonia gas from that pipe escaped,” he said, adding that a person who was directly in front was the worst hit.

“He fell unconscious and was declared dead upon reaching the Duchess of Kent Hospital.”

ACP Fuad said a total of 18 people were working near the area when the incident happened and all were brought to the hospital for treatment.

He said the cause of incident is being investigated.

Meanwhile, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department acting assistant director of operations Kenneth Wilfred said three of them faced breathing difficulties and pain in their eyes while seven others felt stinging in the eyes and skin.

“Firemen were tasked to sanitise and clear the location of any spills, pollution and chemical hazards,” he said.

The police were on site to ensure all premises within a 100m radius suspended their operations until all hazardous elements had been cleared.