Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
France 24
France 24
World
FRANCE 24

California declares state of emergency after toxic leak threatens 40,000 residents

A drone view shows water being sprayed during a chemical incident involving a leaking tank of methyl methacrylate forcing an evacuation of surrounding area California, May 23, 2026
A drone view shows water being sprayed during a chemical incident involving a leaking tank of methyl methacrylate forcing an evacuation of the surrounding area, Orange County, California, May 23, 2026. © David Swanson, Reuters

California authorities said on Sunday they had discovered a crack in a damaged tank containing toxic chemicals, easing fears over a potential explosion that earlier prompted the evacuation of about 40,000 residents. The leak began on Friday in Orange County's Garden Grove area, sending fumes across a densely populated region near Disneyland.

Authorities in California on Sunday said they discovered a crack in a damaged tank of toxic chemicals, potentially relieving pressure as the threat of an explosion has forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.