Toxic gas used to kill rats injures five people

Published on 05/12/2012 11:51

FIVE people were injured when toxic gas used to kill rodents escaped from a ship docked at a harbour.

• Five people injured after exposure to toxic gas that escaped from ship

• Aluminium phosphide gas normally used to kill small mammals

Cargo on the vessel at Warrenpoint, Co Down, in Northern Ireland, had become wet and unstable and a cordon has been established.

The gas is aluminium phosphide, a pesticide used to kill small mammals such as moles and rodents.

Police in the Irish Republic have been informed of the potential of the chemical compound to drift into their area.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesman said: “It is believed that there are five casualties suffering from the effects of exposure to the gas.”