1 killed, 70 hospitalized due to ammonia leak in Philippine capital

MANILA -- One person died and 70 others were hospitalized on Wednesday afternoon due to an ammonia leak from an ice plant and cold storage in the Philippine capital Manila.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco said he sent Bureau of Fire Protection personnel to the area immediately to help evacuate the affected residents around the plant.

"We are verifying reports that some residents went directly to the hospitals," he said in a social media post.

Tiangco said the leak has stopped, and the damaged valve was repaired. "It will take 2-3 hours before the foul smell subsided," he added.

He said the lone fatality is a male employee of the plant. The man died at a local hospital.

Many of the residents in the affected area told local media that some residents fainted after inhaling the foul smell coming from the plant. Residents complained of chest pains and difficulty in breathing.

Liquid ammonia is used as a refrigerant or coolant for manufacturing purified tube ice.