Initial cause confirmed for chemical leak at West Brisbane abattoir, forcing 900 workers to evacuate and 5 to be hospitalized
Nearly 900 workers have been evacuated and five have been hospitalised after an “industrial-size” chemical spill at an abattoir west of Brisbane.
Emergency services were called to JBS Dinmore on Lock Way in Riverview, Ipswich about 12.35am today following an ammonia leak.
Around 892 people were evacuated from the building, and 17 workers were assessed for respiratory symptoms
Emergency services were called to JBS Dinmore on Lock Way in Riverview, Ipswich about 12.35am today.© 9News
Five people have been taken to hospital, where they remain in a stable condition.
Fire crews stayed on the scene for nearly seven hours to assess and neutralise the spill zone.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire Department described the ammonia leak as “industria-sized” and said it appears the spill originated from a faulty pipe.
Nearly 900 people were evacuated from the building.© 9News
JBS Dinmore is the largest meat processing plant in the southern hemisphere.
The facility in Riverview has been in operation for 40 years and accounts for around 10 per cent of Australia’s total beef processing capacity.
