Chemical leak in Codegua leaves one dead and 122 injured

Minister Matthei visits a patient affected by the ammonia leak. Photo: Gobierno de Chile

CODEGUA — An ammonia leak in a branch of Empresa Los Nobles S.A in Codegua, the O’Higgins Region, has left one person dead and caused the evacuation of nearly 150 workers, 122 of which have been taken to  the hospital with injuries of varying severity. The most severely injured worker has been airlifted to Santiago’s Hospital del Trabajador with burns on 25 percent of his body.

The one fatal victim has been identified as 20-year-old Luis Eduardo Figueroa Lizana. He was found in a refrigeration chamber at the plant.

According to Riquelme, the leak may have been caused by a broken pipe that fed into the refrigerated chamber.

Although the leak is now under control, health services have set up a 300-meter safety perimeter, leading to the evacuation of 50 people living within the area.

Minister of Work Evelyn Matthei, who visited the scene of the accident before visiting those injured in hospital, has said of the event, “There are many things to investigate, we will investigate them thoroughly.”

She also sent her condolences to the family of the worker who lost his life in the accident.

She added, “We were told that the company had done a succesful accident drill a few days ago and that also a few days ago the gas pressure equipment was renewed. Firemen are investigating and will establish how a system so new could have failed.”

A formal investigation into the matter is due to begin imminently, for which Matthei has offered her full support alongside Agricultural Minister Luis Mayol.