A release of gaseous nitric acid was declared Tuesday, at the beginning of the afternoon, in a vat of the cheese dairy of La Lémance in Montayral, near Fumel, announced the prefecture of Lot-et-Garonne in a press release . The tank contained 450 liters of acid.
By chemical reaction, a yellow cloud first emerged from the factory, forcing the authorities to evacuate the employees of the surrounding factories, and to establish a security perimeter of 100 meters. The leak was stopped at the end of the afternoon “and the smoke faded” assures the prefecture. At 5 p.m., the security perimeter was lifted.
40 people secured
The firefighters have hired their chemical risk specialists “and are continuing their intervention to secure the site” indicated the prefecture in a press release at the end of the afternoon. The company’s activity is suspended until the compliant restoration of its facilities.
Following this incident, 40 people were brought to safety, including three who underwent a medical examination, without being evacuated to hospitals.