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Seven people are in critical condition and several others were hospitalized after a gas leak in the northern suburbs of Chicago on Thursday morning, causing the persistence of a toxic cloud for several hours, officials said.
A tractor pulling two two-ton containers of anhydrous ammonia around 4:30 am was drilled in one of the tanks, creating a chemical cloud that persisted over Beach Park, a suburb located at 40 km north of Chicago, Mike Gallo, Lake Forest Fire Chief said.
Police announced that about two dozen law enforcement agencies had reacted to the leak, which had resulted in the hospitalization of a large number of police officers. 39 between them.
Police and emergency personnel respond to a hazardous materials situation that was blocking roads and closing schools in Beach Park, Illinois on Thursday, April 25, 2019 (Joe Shuman / Chicago Tribune via AP)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas that can cause breathing difficulties, burns, blisters and is fatal when it is breathed in high concentrations. Farmers use it to add nitrogen to the soil.
Thirty-seven people were hospitalized after the leak, many suffer from respiratory problems. According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, eleven firefighters were among the people sent to the hospital and one of them was listed in critical but stable condition.
Three law enforcement officers were in good condition and several others were in serious but stable condition.
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Authorities did not reveal the cause of the leak, but said that it was contained within a few hours.
During the escape, residents of a one kilometer radius were asked to stay inside and close their windows while the schools were closed for the day.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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