SANDAKAN: A worker died while 17 others were hospitalised following an ammonia leakage at an ice factory at Mile 3, Friday.
District police chief ACP Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek said the gas leak was due to a broken ice machine at Sinaran Cube Ice Factory Sdn Bhd at 10.10am.
A mechanic, assisted by seven workers, was conducting maintenance on the ice cutter when it happened.
“A cooling system pipe leaked and caused ammonia gas in the entire cooling system tube to spray. A 40-year-old male worker near the leaking pipe lost consciousness due to exposure to the gas.
“The victim was taken by ambulance to the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) and was confirmed dead on arrival,” he said in a statement.
There were 18 workers aged 21 to 55 at the factory during the incident. Abdul said investigations are ongoing.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Severinus Sainkui said they received a distress call through the station’s line at 10.02am.
“All the victims trapped inside the factory were successfully brought out by the firefighters equipped with Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).
“Decontamination and sanitation was then carried out in the entire area by using water spray until the pH reading reached a safe level,” he said.
The nearby building was also monitored and all workers were directed to the declared safe area. The decontamination and sanitation operation ended at 12:06 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Sandakan Health Office advised residents and workers within a 100 meter radius of the factory to take precautionary measures.
This includes ensuring good air circulation and seeking immediate treatment if experiencing symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, eye pain, sore throat, dizziness and skin irritation.
