SEOUL – Seventeen people were hospitalised on May 28 after toxic bromine gas leaked from a university laboratory in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, prompting an emergency evacuation and a local disaster alert. The leak occurred at around 7.13pm (6.13pm Singapore time) on the sixth floor of Chungbuk National University’s Advanced Bio Research Centre, after a 500-ml reagent bottle containing bromine was dropped and broken, according to the police and fire authorities. The authorities believe the accident happened while students were handling chemicals in the laboratory.
Bromine, a toxic substance that can vaporise at room temperature, quickly spread through the building after the bottle broke. The 17 people, including two students who were inside the laboratory, were taken to hospitals after complaining of symptoms including breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness and eye irritation. None were reported to be in life-threatening condition. About 30 others inside the building were evacuated. Fire authorities said they deployed 15 vehicles and 24 personnel to contain the leak and clear the scene. Cheongju city sent an emergency
disaster alert shortly after the accident, advising nearby residents to avoid the area and asking drivers to take detours. The police and fire authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident, including how the reagent bottle was dropped and whether safety procedures were properly followed. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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