Chuandongbei gas explosion

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The gas explosion of Chuandongbei was a long-range chemical disaster by a gas leak from a gas source close to the greater community of Gaoqiao in China on the night of 25. December 2003 .

course

On the night of December 25, 2003 , a large amount of natural gas and hydrogen sulfide suddenly escaped after a gas well exploded on the Chuandongbei gas field of the China National Petroleum Corporation near the metropolis of Chongqing in southwest China . The gas mixture, which smelled of rotten eggs and is deadly when inhaled, rose around 30 meters into the air and moved over the surrounding area. The repair and rescue work was delayed because there was a lack of adequate protective equipment for the forces.

Before the accident, the 4,000 meter deep borehole was producing one million cubic meters of natural gas a day. The production field, in which stocks of 50 to 60 million tons are suspected, is known for its highly concentrated toxic gases. In order to destroy the escaping gases, the borehole was first set on fire and then filled in. The reasons for such disasters are often inadequate operational safety and inadequate civil protection .

consequences

The escaping gases killed 191 people, 4,000 to 5,000 people suffered chemical burns to the respiratory tract, skin and / or severe eye infections due to the toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide on the mucous membranes.

More than 10,000 people within a 5 km radius had to be evacuated.

additional

A similar incident occurred again in March 2006 in Gaoqiao. At that time, however, thousands of residents were brought to safety in good time.

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