CNN Philippines correspondent Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — The Navotas City government ordered the closure of the Magsimpan Ice Plant after 15 people were rushed to hospitals following an incident of ammonia leak early Tuesday morning, the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said.
Navotas DRRMO head Vonne Villanueva said they are also verifying if the death of one person while evacuating was due to the hazardous leak.
Residents in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran and NBBS Proper fled their homes amid heavy downpour after a stench caused by the ammonia leak spread in their neighborhood before 3 a.m. It was contained at around 4 a.m.
Villanueva said this is the third time in two years that the Magsimpan Ice Plant had an ammonia leak.
The official added that the plant has been operational for at least 10 years, with constant safety checks.
“We stopped the operation of the plant,” Villanueva told CNN Philippines. “We will ensure first that everything is safe before allowing them to operate.”
