BANGKOK, Nov 27 (TNA) - The chemical leak at the B3 port zone in Thailand's deep sea Laem Chabang port in Chonburi province Wednesday was caused by carelessness, not an accident, according to Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Jongrak Juthanond.
Accompanied by officials concerned, Gen Jongrak said when expert officials investigated the scene at Laem Chabang, they found containers storing dangerous chemical compounds were placed in an open air area exposed to temperatures as high as 30 degrees Celsius and that it could be the reason for the leakage of the chemical.
Generally, dangerous chemicals should be kept under 25 degrees Celsius, said the deputy national police chief.
Police speeded up the evidence gathering process to take legal action against the Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Company Ltd, operator of Terminal B3 deep port, as well as government officials who may have been involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday commented on the news report that the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were seeking a court order suspending operations at Laem Chabang deep-sea port for non-compliance with basic environmental report, saying that the NGOs could do that as it was considered they were exercising their rights under the law.
He said that the related agencies were solving the problems, find out solution and set up measures to rehabilitate affected residents as well as to prevent possible incidents in the future.
“At the weekly Cabinet meeting on December 1, the agencies concerned must report the incident to Cabinet to map out measures to solve and prevent (future) problems,” said Mr Abhisit.
However, the government will review the related measures as the incident affected confidence in every sector, he added.
Regarding medical treatment for affected locals, Minister of Public Health Witthaya Kaewparadai said, according to the report from the Chonburi health office, four victims remained in hospital.
Meanwhile, provincial health workers inspected weather and water conditions around the leakage areas, finding that the amount of chemical pollution in the air and in water was reduced and posed no risk of danger.
Therefore, the officials informed some locals to return to their homes as well as provide mobile medical units to check their health.
Chemical leak incidents occurred at the B3 port in Laem Chabang on Wednesday (November 25) afternoon and occurred again Thursday night.
The leak caused locals to evacuate to safer places. The incident caused 10 people to suffering from inhaling the toxic fumes, one injured and one dead.
The officials first identified the chemical as bromine but later said it was sodium persulfate. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 18:33:40 27 November 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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