An ammonia leak from an ice factory in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district has affected about 100 people within a one-kilometre radius early Thursday morning.
Bang Lamung's district chief was informed of the incident at Banglamung Ice Plant at 11.36pm on Wednesday.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene and found that the leaked ammonia had impacted an area with a radius of about one kilometre around the factory. Workers at the plant and residents within a two-kilometer radius were immediately evacuated.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion at the plant followed by smoke. They experienced strong irritation in their eyes and nose upon inhaling the leaked gas, with some people even losing consciousness.
Affected individuals continued to seek first aid from rescue workers. By 5am on Thursday, about 40 people had received help, and the number had doubled to around 100 by late Thursday morning. The injured were sent to several local hospitals.
Firefighters from Pattaya closed all ammonia valves in the factory and sprayed water to neutralise the leaked gas.
Bang Lamung health officials advised residents against eating any food that may have been exposed to the ammonia.
