SUMY (dpa-AFX) – After the release of highly toxic ammonia from a chemical plant in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, according to the authorities, there is no danger to the population. The state civil defense reported this to Telegram on Monday morning and spoke of a “slight ammonia leak”. A tank was damaged by fire. The affected area was sealed. According to the information, an employee of the company was injured.
On Monday night, regional military chief Dmytro Schywytzky appealed to all residents within a five-kilometer radius of the Sumychimprom chemical plant to go into the basement or apartments on the ground floor if possible so as not to come into contact with the ammonia. The strong, pungent-smelling gas is lighter than air, so it rises.
According to civil protection, specialists are working to render the ammonia cloud in north-eastern Ukraine harmless. An independent clarification on site was not possible.
Last week, the Russian military accused Ukraine of preparing a false flag chemical weapons attack on civilians./cht/DP/eas