Manabi, Ecuador: Ammonia Leak in Plant Affects About 30 People

According to ElUniverso.com about 30 people in the community of El Verdun in the Tosagua canton in Manabi were affected by an ammonia leak in a shrimp plant that was closed 12 years ago. Authorities say the incident was reported on Tuesday, August 2nd around 6 a.m. when people were beginning to suffer symptoms from the leak such as vomiting, dizziness and upset stomachs. The Committee of Operational Emergencies (COE) in Tosagua asked for assistance from the firefighting body in Manta. Authorities say an animal could have damaged the pipes in the shrimp factory, resulting in a 300-meter radius of chemical leakage. Government health officials were caring for the affected people in El Verdun.Read Article