DAMMAM — One person died and two were seriously injured in a chemical leak at a waste recycling plant near the Abqaiq-Dammam highway Tuesday morning. All three victims were employees of the recycling plant. The two survivors were taken to hospital where they are said to be in a stable condition and recovering. A spokesman for the Eastern Province Civil Defense told reporters that the leak occurred around 1.30 a.m. Tuesday during maintenance work at one of the chemical tanks. He said hazard teams from the Civil Defense immediately rushed to the scene. The three victims were expatriates and their nationalities were not disclosed. The Civil Defense spokesman said soon after the accident the plant management controlled the leakage, preventing any further damage. The leak occurred in a tank with a capacity of 5,000 liters, he added. The incident has been referred to Abqaiq Police, which are investigating.
