23 people were hospitalised across several hospitals in Wallonia’s Hainaut region on Thursday afternoon following a leak of two toxic chemicals at the Entra company in Heppignies, firefighters announced on Friday morning. Wallonia’s labour inspectorate is currently investigating the scene of the incident and has refused to reopen the plant.
Around 15 firefighters from the Hainaut-East rescue zone were called to the industrial site around Rue du Tilloi in Heppignies following a leak of a mixture of two hazardous products in the company’s laundry area.
“A reported technical issue triggered the leak of the two toxic products,” a spokesperson for the rescue zone said. Several companies surrounding the premises of Entra were evacuated as a precaution but have since been allowed to return to their places of work.
Firefighters quickly stopped the leak by pouring an industrial absorbent substance onto the ground. A small puddle of the toxic material had formed underneath a valve on industrial equipment.
Serious irritation
Two people who received serious chemical irritation were urgently rushed to hospital by ambulance. Some minutes later, other members of staff were evacuated to hospital.
“In total, 23 people have been dispatched to several hospitals in the region, and even those further away,” the spokesperson said. “The first two people evacuated to a Charleroi hospital were more irritated than the others, without being able to give other details about the severity of their contamination.”
Some people admitted to hospital have already been discharged following a 24-hour observation period advised by medical professionals.
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The hazardous chemicals have now been completely absorbed by firefighters. Production at the company, which provides jobs in many fields for people with special needs, was halted.
“The director, present on site at the time of the leak, has already decided to stop production. The labour inspectorate has also attended the scene. Although there wasn't a need to seal off the building it was strongly advised not to restart the equipment until it has been checked,” the rescue zone concluded.
