Chemical tank leak in Toledo, Ohio forces nearly 1,000 to evacuate, 35 treated
In short
A chemical storage tank in Toledo, Ohio leaked toxic gas on the night of 20 October, local time. Xinhua, citing US media, reported that nearly 1,000 residents were evacuated, more than 50,000 were told to stay indoors and at least 35 people were treated in hospital. On the evening of 21 October fire and rescue services shrank the evacuation zone and lifted the shelter order.
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A hazardous chemical leak at an industrial site in Toledo, Ohio on 20 October, local time, led officials to order people within one mile (about 1.6 km) to evacuate, according to reports from Jiemian and CLS, which cited CCTV. Several roads were closed and nearby rail traffic was suspended. Toledo fire officials told residents to stay indoors and close all doors and windows. [ 1 , 2 ]
The early reports said the chemical had not been identified. CLS said the leak left a chemical in the air, but its composition had not been determined. Smoke from the spreading chemical was moving, which reduced visibility on roads in the Toledo area. No casualties had been reported at that point. [ 1 , 2 ]
Xinhua, writing on 21 October and citing US media, gave a fuller account. It said a chemical storage tank ruptured and released toxic glycidyl methacrylate gas at about 21:30 on 20 October, local time. Nearly 1,000 residents were forced to evacuate and more than 50,000 were asked to shelter indoors. At least 35 people were treated in hospital for burning eyes or throat, and local schools closed. [ 4 ]
Xinhua said Toledo's mayor, Wade Kapushukaiweiqi (韦德·卡普舒凯维奇), told a news conference on 21 October that a 5,500-gallon tank (1 gallon is about 3.79 litres) leaked because of a transfer error. Authorities were waiting for the chemical to drain naturally from the tank, to avoid an explosion that actively stopping the leak might cause. [ 4 ]
On the evening of 21 October, Toledo fire and rescue services reduced the evacuation area and lifted the shelter-in-place order, Xinhua reported. Yicai headlined its later report with the tank leak and the nearly 1,000 evacuated. [ 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The leak disrupted roads, rail traffic and schools in the Toledo area and sent people to hospital. Chinese outlets first reported an unidentified chemical and later reports named the gas, so the picture changed within a day.
Key facts
- A hazardous chemical leak occurred in an industrial area of Toledo, Ohio on 20 October, local time. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Police and fire officials ordered people within one mile (about 1.6 km) to evacuate, according to CCTV-sourced reports. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Several roads were closed and rail traffic nearby was suspended. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Xinhua, citing US media, said the leak began around 21:30 on 20 October and involved toxic glycidyl methacrylate gas. [ 4 ]
- Xinhua reported nearly 1,000 residents were forced to evacuate and more than 50,000 were asked to shelter indoors. [ 4 ]
- At least 35 people were treated in hospital for burning eyes or throat, and local schools closed, Xinhua reported. [ 4 ]
- The mayor said a 5,500-gallon tank leaked because of a transfer error. [ 4 ]
- On the evening of 21 October the evacuation zone was reduced and the shelter-in-place order lifted. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A hazardous chemical leak took place in Toledo, Ohio, prompting an evacuation within a one-mile (about 1.6 km) radius, road closures and a suspension of rail traffic. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Residents were told to stay indoors, and Toledo fire and rescue services later reduced the evacuation area and lifted the shelter-in-place order. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The mayor of Toledo said a 5,500-gallon tank leaked because of a transfer error, and authorities were waiting for the chemical to drain from the tank on its own to avoid an explosion. [ 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the early reports of an unidentified chemical and no casualties still hold. The early reports (1, 2) said the substance was not identified and no casualties had been reported; Xinhua (4) later named glycidyl methacrylate and reported at least 35 people treated in hospital.
- The figures for evacuees, people sheltering and patients. They come only from Xinhua, which attributed them to US media; no other document gives them.
- The exact location and company involved. Documents describe an industrial area or an enterprise in Toledo and a chemical storage tank, and do not name the site or company.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Leak begins around this time on 20 October, local time, according to Xinhua citing US media. [ 4 ]
- Jiemian publishes a report on an unidentified hazardous chemical leak in Toledo (21 October). [ 1 ]
- CLS reports the one-mile evacuation order and says the chemical has not been identified (21 October). [ 2 ]
- Xinhua reports nearly 1,000 evacuated, more than 50,000 told to shelter, and at least 35 treated (22 October). [ 4 ]