10 dead, 251 injured in toxic gas leak in Jordan's Aqaba port

The Public Security Directorate said a gas tank sprung a leak while being transported. It did not identify the contents of the tanker.

A poisonous gas leak in Jordan’s southern port city of Aqaba on Monday killed at least 10 people and injured 251, authorities said.

The directorate said authorities sealed off the area after evacuating the injured to hospitals. (Representational image)(AFP)

The Public Security Directorate said a gas tank sprung a leak while being transported. It did not identify the contents of the tanker.

The directorate said authorities sealed off the area after evacuating the injured to hospitals and sent specialists in to deal with the leak.

The directorate said 10 people were killed and 251 injured. State-run al-Mamlaka TV said 199 were still being treated in hospitals.

Dr. Jamal Obeidat, a local health official, urged people to stay inside and close windows and doors. The nearest residential area is 25 kilometers (15 miles) away.