A leak of hydrofluoric acid from a cargo ship disrupted shipping traffic at the Belgian port of Antwerp, a major global trade hub. Emergency services were called in to assist approximately 100 port workers affected, some of whom were hospitalized.
The municipality of Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht, where the incident occurred on the left bank of the Scheldt River, said that the leak was “under control” by Wednesday morning. However, 28 of the 100 workers remained hospitalized.
Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive substance used in the chemical industry, and its fumes can cause illness.
According to local authorities, the leak was detected Tuesday evening in a container aboard a cargo ship belonging to the MSC shipping company, which was docked at the Deurganckdok, one of the port’s main facilities.
A medical emergency plan was activated, and 127 people sustained minor injuries. Most of the workers were able to leave the hospital quickly, but 28 of them developed more serious symptoms and were kept under observation, according to a statement from the municipality.
The port authority, which operates Europe’s second-largest cargo port after Rotterdam, was forced to establish a crisis cell.
Shipping traffic remained suspended Wednesday morning in the affected area on the left bank of the Scheldt River.
The port authority, which manages the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, said on its website: “Specialized teams are ready to remove the container from the vessel. To do this, a drip tray filled with lime is being brought on board. Subsequently, the container will be sealed and safely removed. During these operations, the emergency services will continue to carry out measurements.”
According to VesselFinder, the MSC container ship Mia Summer 2, flying the Liberian flag, arrived in Antwerp on Monday evening from Felixstowe in the United Kingdom. (AFP)
