Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images
By: Gustavo Rangel
Wednesday, November 20
Chemical leak kills two people and sends 30 more to the hospital; occurred at the LyondellBasell plant near Houston
LA PORTE – Authorities investigate a deadly chemical leak that occurred in the plant LyondellBasell in La Porte, Texas, Tuesday night.
The leak caused the death of two people and hospitalized at least 30, as reported by company representatives. La Porte is located 28 miles east of Houston.
On Tuesday night emergency teams were called to the plant. Thirty people ended up in the hospital, including one who was airlifted, and five who were treated at the scene, Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said.
Until Wednesday In the morning the medical condition of the people who were taken to the area hospitals is unknown.
The incident occurred around 7: 35 pm and involved an acetic acid leak at the LyondellBasell facility in the complex La Porte, company spokesman Chevalier Gray said in a statement.
City of La Porte first responders and Channel Industries Mutual Aid were on site Tuesday evening.
The company said it was working closely with first responders to confirm that all employees were accounted for, which was achieved and this Wednesday in the morning.
Heartbroken to hear of the two fatalities at the Lyondell Basell facility in La Porte. Our county and other first responder agencies are working to support the other workers impacted and to verify that the incident is contained. Grateful to all responders. https://t.co/4ei2IFew9d
– Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) July 28, 1200
” Our on-site incident response team responded quickly and the leak was stopped, “said LyondellBasell, adding that air quality monitoring near the plant, in an unincorporated part of Harris County, shows” no level of concern ”for residents.
“ We know the impact was contained here for the plant, ”said Christensen.
“The area is in unincorporated Harris County, adjacent to the city of La Porte. There is no shelter in place and no other protective actions are recommended for the La Porte community at this time, ”according to a statement issued by La Porte EMS.
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