Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Jordan sacks officials blamed for ‘negligence’ over Aqaba gas leak

Aqaba gas leak
  • A tank of chlorine gas fell while being loaded by crane onto a ship in Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba.
  • At least 13 people, including five Vietnamese nationals, were killed and more than 260 others injured.
  • The container’s weight far exceeded the maximum load of the crane cable bearing it, said Mazen al-Faraya.

 

Jordan’s prime minister announced the dismissal of several officials on Sunday, blaming “negligence” for a toxic gas leak in Aqaba that killed at least 13 people.

Last Monday, a tank of chlorine gas fell while being loaded by crane onto a ship in Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba, releasing the toxic substance.

At least 13 people, including five Vietnamese nationals, were killed and more than 260 others injured, according to the latest official toll.

An investigation showed “great deficiency and negligence in safety measures for dealing with hazardous materials in the Aqaba port”, Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh said during a cabinet meeting.

The director and other officials from the state port operator as well as the head of the maritime authority were sacked, the premier added.

The gas canister’s weight far exceeded the maximum load of the crane cable bearing it, said Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya, who headed the investigation.

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Jordan port workers strike as officials sacked over deadly gas leak

port workers strike
  • Port workers in Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba go on strike over toxic gas leak.
  • At least 13 people killed and more than 260 injured after tank of chlorine gas fell while being loaded onto ship.
  • Prime minister dismisses several port officials accused of “negligence” in connection with incident.

 

 

Hundreds of port workers in Jordan went on strike on Sunday after the prime minister announced the dismissal of several officials accused of “negligence” in connection with a deadly gas leak.

Last Monday, a tank of chlorine gas fell while being loaded by crane onto a ship in Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba, releasing the toxic substance.

At least 13 people, including five Vietnamese nationals, were killed and more than 260 others injured, according to the latest official toll.

“The port workers are striking in protest over the weak safety measures at the port which led to the death and injury of several of their colleagues,” union representative Ahmed Amayreh said.

About “95 percent of the 2,300” Aqaba port workers participated in the strike, he told AFP.

Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh said Sunday that an investigation showed “great deficiency and negligence in safety measures for dealing with hazardous materials in the Aqaba port”.

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