20 hours ago
Five people hospitalised after chemical ‘incident' at Co Down industrial site
Local authorities have warned locals to stay away from the business premises near Magheralin.
The NI Fire & Rescue Service responded to the incident overnight. Stock photo.
Five people were taken to hospital and 12 others assessed at the scene as emergency services responded to a chemical incident.
The alert centred on a business premises near Magheralin, Co Down, which began around 11pm last night.
Police, ambulance and fire crews responded to reports of a chemical spill.
The NI Fire & Rescue Service issued a warning for people to stay away from the scene during the alert, which continued until 4.45am this morning.
None of the five patients, who were taken to three local hospitals, are in a life-threatening condition.
There is no wider risk to the public.
The NI Fire & Rescue Service responded to the incident overnight. Stock photo.
News in 90 Seconds - 7th June
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: "NIAS received reports of a potential chemical incident at an industrial site near Magheralin and dispatched a number of emergency ambulances, ambulance officers, a Hazardous Area Response Team and a doctor to the scene with a major incident being declared as a result of the number of reported casualties.
"Seventeen potential patients were assessed and five transferred to hospital (Craigavon Area Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Daisy Hill) though none are thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
"A further 12 patients were monitored and then discharged from the scene.
'NIAS worked alongside colleagues from NIFRS and PSNI to manage the incident.
'It is not believed that there is any wider risk to local residents as a result of the incident."
A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police received a request for traffic management assistance from colleagues at Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service at around 11pm on Friday.
'The request followed a reported chemical spill at a factory in the Steps Road area of Magheralin. After a number of people were identified as affected by the spillage, a major incident was declared.
'It was established that there was no risk to the wider public and all emergency services left the scene at around 4.45am.'
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