Philippine ammonia leak from ice plant kills 2, sickens 90

More than 90 residents and workers were taken to hospitals after being exposed to ammonia fumes from the TP Marcelo Ice Plant in the capital region

Investigators are trying to determine if ammonia had leaked from a pipe or was set off after a half-filled tank exploded, sparking the incident that left two dead

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Investigators work at the TP Marcelo Ice Plant on February 4, 2021, in Navotas, Philippines. Photo: AP

Published: 5:01pm, 4 Feb 2021Updated: 5:01pm, 4 Feb 2021

An ammonia leak from an ice plant in the Philippine capital region left two dead and more than 90 others injured or sickened while hundreds of residents fled to safety, an official said Thursday.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco said an employee of TP Marcelo Ice Plant died after exposure to ammonia fumes on Wednesday and the body of a second worker, the plant’s electrician, was found in the building on Thursday.

More than 90 residents and workers were taken to hospitals after being exposed to the leaking ammonia, which is used as a refrigerant but could be toxic to people in large amounts, officials said.

Rescuers seen at the compound of the TP Marcelo Ice Plant on February 4, 2021. Photo: AP

More than 20 remained in a hospital, complaining of breathing difficulties, eye and skin irritation and other illnesses.

Hundreds of residents near the ice plant fled to safety after smelling the pungent fumes on Wednesday but started to return when the leak eased hours later, officials said.