A chemical spill from an ice-making plant in Olhão docks injured seven firemen and a policeman yesterday, with all of them taken to hospital.
Three of the firemen suffered burns after coming into contact with ammonia that leaked during a botched maintenance operation, while three others – two firemen and the policeman – were overcome by fumes.
Two further firemen had to be admitted to hospital due to exhaustion, reports Correio da Manhã, but all are out of danger and expected to be released at some point today.
The incident, called in just after 3pm, involved an evacuation of the area around the Fingelo ice-manufacturer, but navigation along Ria Formosa remained unaffected.
Ports captain Rui Nunes Ferreira guaranteed afterwards “there is no risk to the populations or for the Ria”.
The spill was cleaned within two hours, though a safety perimeter around Fingelo was maintained until 10pm.
