Toxic gas leak in Jordan port kills 13, injures 250

Patients were still being treated in hospitals Tuesday after a gas leak at Aqaba port in Jordan a day earlier.

A crane loading chlorine tanks onto a ship on Monday dropped one of them, causing an explosion of toxic yellow smoke that killed at least 13 people and sickened some 250, authorities said.

Video carried on state TV showed the moment the tank exploded, sending dock workers scrambling to escape the toxic cloud.

The Public Security Directorate, which initially described it as a gas leak, said authorities sealed off the area after evacuating the injured and sent specialists in to address the situation.

State-run Jordan TV said 13 people were killed. Al-Mamlaka TV, another official outlet, said 199 were still being treated in hospitals. The Public Security Directorate said a total of 251 people were injured.

Health officials urged people to stay inside and close windows and doors.

The nearest residential area is 25 kilometers (15 miles) away.

Aqaba is on the northern tip of the Red Sea, next to the Israeli city of Eilat, which is just across the border.

Both are popular beach and diving destinations.

(Image: AP)