The disaster in the port of Aqaba, Jordan, has threatened at least three resorts in three countries on the Red Sea – the Aqaba itself, as well as the Israeli resort of Eilat and the neighboring Egyptian resort of Taba.
It will be recalled that a tanker with a “toxic poisonous substance”, probably chlorine or some of its compounds, exploded in the port of Aqaba on Monday. At the moment it is known about 13 are dead and almost 250 were wounded. At least the beaches of Aqaba are officially closed, moreover, all citizens and tourists are advised to stay indoors and not open the windows.
The details of the crash are as follows: – It happened on Monday during the loading of a large tanker with a “toxic gaseous substance” on the ship. The presented videos show that during loading near the crane the slings did not withstand, the tank broke off the winch and fell on the deck of the ship, after which it split and exploded with a cloud of poisonous yellow smoke. The footage also shows port workers trying to escape. According to preliminary data, the tank contained 25 tons of chlorine intended for export.
Currently, all the beaches of Aqaba have been evacuated, shipping has been stopped, state television reported. Jamal Obeidat, head of Aqaba’s health department, added on the air that the situation was critical and there could be more deaths related to the leak.
There may be even more problems with the location of Aqaba. The port of Jordan, aka the resort of Aqaba, Jordan’s only exit to the sea, is located “on the edge” of the northern edge of the eponymous bay of the Red Sea, just 20 km from the Israeli resort of Eilat. Israel owns 11 km of coastline here, and Jordan – 27. Aqaba is also used by many tourists as a starting point for the famous landmark of Jordan – the Nabataean city of Petra, which is located two hours drive from the city. The third victim may be Egypt – the resort of Taba is located from Aqaba on the other side of the bay.