At least 10 people are reported dead and hundreds injured after a gas cylinder was dropped and exploded while being loaded onto a ship at Jordan’s Aqaba port, according to media reports.
Video shows of the incident shows an ISO cylinder was dropped as it was being loaded by a shoreside crane onto a ship, causing an explosion of yellow gas that quickly engulfed the ship and pier.
A Jordanian government spokesperson told the AFP that the death toll has risen to ten. Another spokesperson said more than 200 people were injured, while other reports are saying over 250 people injured.
Watch: A video shows the moment a large cylinder plunged from a crane on a moored vessel, causing a violent explosion of yellow gas in Jordan’s #Aqaba port, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 200. /iSaqZIOCcV
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) June 27, 2022
The ship appears to be the Hong Kong-flagged MV Forest 6, a multi-purpose cargo and heavy lift vessel built in 2021.
Some unconfirmed reports said the substance is chlorine.
We stand ready to support the Government of Jordan as it responds to this tragedy. I urge all U.S. citizens in Aqaba to follow all public health guidance.” Ambassador Henry T. Wooster
— U.S. Embassy Jordan (@USEmbassyJordan) June 27, 2022
