Accident in Japan
Falling into vat of chemicals: City warns about contaminated cat
In Fukuyama, a chemically contaminated cat runs through the streets (symbolic image)
© Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire
In the Japanese city of Fukuyama, authorities warn of a stray cat. The poor animal had an accident in a metal galvanizing factory – and is now said to be contaminated.
Authorities in the Japanese city of Fukuyama have warned residents of a stray, chemically contaminated Cat warned. People should not touch the animal under any circumstances and should call the police immediately if they see it, the city administration said on Tuesday. The cat had apparently fallen into a vat containing a dangerous chemical at a metal electroplating factory.
Cat apparently escaped from the factory premises unscathed
According to the factory, the mishap was noticed when a worker came to work on Monday morning and discovered paw prints of a cat leading away from the vat. Images from a surveillance camera show the cat escaping from the factory premises, apparently unscathed. As of Tuesday afternoon (local time), no sighting of the cat had been reported.
The three meter deep vat contained chromium VI, which is carcinogenic and can cause severe skin irritation. A spokesman for the factory operator assured that the company notified the police, the city administration and local residents immediately after noticing the mishap. “The incident has alarmed us that we need to take measures to prevent small animals such as cats from sneaking in,” he told AFP.