On the afternoon of July 14, Mr. Tran Van Thuy - Vice Chairman of Truong Xuan Commune People's Committee (Lam Dong) said that the locality has directed functional forces to urgently handle the incident of a tanker truck carrying chemicals overturning, causing HCl acid to be released into the environment.
According to initial information, on the night of July 13, Mr. P.D. P (resident of Da Nang City) was driving a tanker truck carrying acid with license plate 51D-991.03 traveling in the direction from Dong Nai to Dak Lak.
When reaching Km1875+200, the section passing through hamlet 3, Truong Xuan commune, the vehicle suddenly lost control, rushed into the opposite lane, hit the bridge railing and then overturned.
The front of the car was stuck on the bridge railing, and the acid tank fell into the stream.
At the time of the accident, there were about 5m3 of HCl acid at a concentration of 20% in the tank. After falling into the stream, the chemical reacted with the water, smoked and spread to the environment.
Through initial inspection, the area around where the tank fell has burnt grass. According to preliminary assessment, the amount of chemicals spread out through the water flow is about 5km.
Truong Xuan Commune People's Committee recommends that people living along the stream do not use water until there is a new notice from functional agencies.
At the same time, people need to promptly report to the authorities if they detect unusual signs of water sources or damage to aquaculture, livestock, and crops related to water sources.
Currently, functional agencies are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, assess the extent of the impact on the environment and implement remedial measures according to regulations.
According to experts, hydrochloric acid (HCl) when released into the environment can cause acidification of water and soil sources, affecting the ecosystem.
HCl vapor can also cause irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract; at high concentrations, there is a risk of chemical burns and lung damage.
