星期五（10月21日），在堪萨斯州的艾奇森（Atchison），一家名为“MGP”的蒸馏厂发生化学事故，导致至少有80名当地居民前往医院寻求救助，其中至少有一人仍在重症监护室接受救治。
据CBS新闻网报道，当地政府透露，事故导致两种化学品混在一起，在城市上空造成了毒云。为此，当地官员曾要求艾奇森的一些住户疏散。但目前毒云已经消失，该疏散命令已经被解除。
当地官员认为，导致毒云事故的化学品是亚氢氯酸钠和硫酸的混合物。这两种化学品在单独被存放时没有害处，但是当它们被混合在一起时，会产生剧毒气体。
据KCTV5电视台报道，大约有67名当地居民因上呼吸道不适，在艾奇森的一家医院寻求治疗。另有大约18个人前往密苏里州圣约瑟夫的一家医院就医。该市政府官员说，大部分人都只是轻微受到伤害。
目前环境保护部门已经在艾奇森就该事故展开调查。
据美联社消息，MGP公司生产优质蒸馏酒。该公司在艾奇森的工厂共约有300名员工，工厂距离堪萨斯城约50英里。
Thousands were evacuated from a high school, elementary school and a college.
"If you are not in Atchison, please stay out of town," Atchison County Emergency Management said on Facebook.
Headquartered in Atchison, MGP describes itself as a company where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced.
Authorities have not released details about what kind of chemical leaked.
Chemical Spill in Atchinson KS. Schools being evacuated. pic.twitter.com/zBjMXlkcto
— Kindle Biermann (@KMBCKindle) October 21, 2016
Outside of brookdale it looks like it's coming this way..#mgpexplosion#Atchisonpic.twitter.com/H2pGgrDciq
— Megan Laflin (@Meglaflin) October 21, 2016
Residents of Atchison who live north of the plant are being told to stay inside with their doors and windows shut, according to the Kansas City Star.
Reporters on the scene reported a thick fog and chlorine-like smell in the area.
Live footage from KMBC shows a fire truck hosing down a large silo at the plant.
Dangerous chemical spill in Atchison, KS. Here is where our model projects chemicals will spread through 11:30pic.twitter.com/i6544G3n3k
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) October 21, 2016
According to the Atchison City Manager's Office, two chemicals were inadvertently mixed together which caused a reaction. No word yet on what two chemicals were mixed together.
"We don't know what chemicals were mixed. All injuires are minor," said Trey Cocking, Atchison City Manager.
Resident told KSHB that sirens alerted them to a problem at the plant. Primary concern now is the plume of chemicals traveling through the north of Atchison.
There was no explosion.
According to multiple reports, at least one of the chemicals is airborne chlorine powder.
Picture from Atchison, KS right now - chemical leak. People told to avoid going outside. pic.twitter.com/yIij4S7xeG
— Josh Helmuth (@Jhelmuth) October 21, 2016
The leak started around 8:30 a.m. CT Friday morning. The leak happened when the plant was taking a delivery of a chemical and the the chemical was, put into the wrong holding tank and caused the reaction, according to Cocking.
Cocking said it was safe for everyone to return. HAZMAT was involved. A foam substance was used to treat the leak.
Atchison County officials are closing and evacuating the county courthouse. Benedictine College has been evacuated.
The leak has been contained.
The fog has lifted. The situation is improving. We will be conducting a press conference shortly. We will provide updates as we learn more.
— City of Atchison (@CityofAtchison) October 21, 2016
Founded in 1941, MGP has about 300 employees and makes “specialty wheat proteins and starches” along with distilled spirits such as bourbon and rye whiskey, gin and vodka. The company also makes plant-based polymers for petroleum-based plastics, such as disposable cutlery and CD cases. It is headquartered in Atchison, with another distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
There was an explosion at the plant fifteen years ago and one a few years ago. The plant has been in Atchison since the 1940s.
