Smell of gas reported in Aqaba ‘not a health threat’ — ASEZA

AMMAN — The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) denied the validity of rumours circulating about a potential gas leak in the city of Aqaba. 

ASEZA stressed that aerial monitoring is being implemented as an oversight measures, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

ASEZA Spokesperson, Fayez Al Fayez said that the Authority received a report from Civil Defence teams on Thursday morning stating that gas could be smelled in several locations in the city, prompting panic at Al Shamali School and the Hashemite School.

He added that Civil Defence teams and Aqaba Governorate personnel are working in coordination on a field survey to follow up on fixed and mobile monitoring stations that registered unspecified quantities of gaseous pollutants. The smell of gas does not pose a health threat, Fayez noted.

Preliminary surveys showed that current readings of gaseous pollutants fall within the range that is permissible by Jordanian regulations, Fayez said, adding that the source of the reported smell is not within the city of Aqaba.  

According to health data, a number of individuals were transferred to the hospital due to panic attacks, who were later discharged in good health.  

Fayez emphasised that the cadres are on standby to conduct further surveys in all areas of Aqaba.