Major operation in Tyrol

Company had to be evacuated due to gas leak

The alarm was raised at around 10.45 a.m. and several fire departments were deployed.(Bild: zoom.tirol)

Several fire departments, police and rescue services had to be deployed in the Tyrolean lowlands on Monday morning. Chlorine gas had leaked from a company in Reith im Alpbachtal. 40 people had to be evacuated and six taken to hospital.  

According to the police, the incident happened at around 10.45 am. "According to investigations so far, a technical defect in a machine is likely to have led to the release of chlorine gas," explain the investigators.

Six people had to be taken to hospital.(Bild: zoom.tirol)

Suspected damage to health
40 people were in the production hall at the time. They were evacuated. Rescue workers took six of them to hospital because of suspected health problems. Chlorine gas has a corrosive effect on the respiratory tract and is considered particularly dangerous.

Numerous emergency services from various emergency services were on the scene.(Bild: zoom.tirol)

The incident led to a large-scale deployment of emergency services. In addition to the St. Getraudi, Brixlegg, Reith im Alpbachtal and Jenbach fire departments and the Sandoz company fire department, several rescue teams and police officers were deployed.