A tanker truck leaked harmful ammonia gas late at night outside a hotel in Oklahoma, prompting numerous hospitalizations and evacuations. Authorities reported that dozens of individuals were treated, and schools temporarily closed as a safety measure.
The leak originated from a gasket on a truck containing 25,000 pounds of ammonia, which was parked behind the Holiday Inn Express in Weatherford. Local officials, along with the EPA, confirmed the exposure to toxic substances.
Workers at the hotel, primarily oilfield personnel, noticed a faint popping noise followed by a nasty smell. When one of them stepped outside with his colleagues, they encountered a strong odor of anhydrous ammonia. This gas is notorious for its choking scent and potential lethality.
Once outside, they saw their car enveloped in gas clouds. While one worker fled, another rushed toward the leaking truck. “His lips were purple and frozen shut,” one man recounted, adding that their colleague had bloodshot eyes and reddened skin.
Eventually, the officers managed to rescue their colleague from the hazardous situation. At least 36 people received medical attention, with four reported in critical condition by Thursday morning, while around ten remained hospitalized in Oklahoma City.
Forced evacuations impacted approximately 500 to 600 residents, who sought shelter from the dangerous fumes. Others were instructed to stay indoors for hours. Nursing homes were cleared, and local schools shut down, complicating the city’s recovery efforts, which could take several days.
Firefighters wearing gas masks conducted door-to-door checks, ultimately lifting the shelter-in-place order late Thursday morning. Police indicated that the leak was likely due to a mechanical failure in the valve or a faulty seal.
Air monitoring afterward showed no ammonia detected in residential areas, and pH levels in nearby streams remained normal. Officials expect that the soil contamination will “neutralize naturally in a short time.” Continuous air quality assessments will be conducted, though officials confirmed that the leak was no longer active.
Various agencies, including hazardous materials teams and the Oklahoma National Guard, were involved in addressing the incident. Ammonia exposure can lead to severe injuries, such as inflammation and breathing difficulties, and in high amounts, could be life-threatening.
