Five face charges over ammonia leak

CHINA: Five people face possible criminal charges and 12 have been “disciplined” over the ammonia leak which killed five people and injured 25 at a refrigeration unit in Shanghai at the end of August.

According to the Shanghai municipal government, 12 district official have been subjected to “disciplinary sanctions” and five people thought to be responsible for the accident are being investigated for possible criminal charges

A detached pipe cap was blamed for the leak at the seafood processing plant and warehouse operated by Shanghai Weng Brand Refrigerated Industrial Co warehouse.

Investigators also revealed that an unlicensed food processing workshop, designed and constructed by unqualified workers occupied the fire escape passage. It had been added after the approved main plant was first built.

China has suffered a total of 36 deaths from 10 liquid ammonia leak cases between 2002 and 2009, according to the State Administration of Work Safety.