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Queensland truck crash: police evacuate 5km exclusion zone after explosive chemical spill | Queensland truck crash: police evacuate 5km exclusion zone after explosive chemical spill |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Ammonium nitrate found leaking on to road at Bloomsbury, causing evacuations and closure of Bruce Highway in both directions | Ammonium nitrate found leaking on to road at Bloomsbury, causing evacuations and closure of Bruce Highway in both directions |
There’s no timeline for when residents will be allowed to return home following the rollover of a truck carrying explosive chemicals in Queensland. | |
The Bruce Highway has been blocked in both directions at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay in Queensland, after the spillage of ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser that can also explode in the wrong conditions. | The Bruce Highway has been blocked in both directions at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay in Queensland, after the spillage of ammonium nitrate, a common fertiliser that can also explode in the wrong conditions. |
Police set up a 5km exclusion zone around the area, and ordered homeowners to leave. | |
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said fire crews are waiting for cleanup workers to arrive, but there’s not yet a timeframe for when they will be finished. | |
The chemical spill is contained. | |
“It’s looking like it will be a protracted incident,” the spokesperson said. | |
Earlier, a QFES spokesperson said an explosion was their number one concern. | |
Firefighters were called to the scene about 11.30am to reports a truck had rolled over, the spokesperson said. They arrived to find the ammonium nitrate leaking on to the road. | Firefighters were called to the scene about 11.30am to reports a truck had rolled over, the spokesperson said. They arrived to find the ammonium nitrate leaking on to the road. |
Five QFES crews were initially dispatched, but two have since left. | |
Queensland police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and evacuated properties along Staffords Road, Campbells Road, Caping Road and O’Donnells Road. | Queensland police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and evacuated properties along Staffords Road, Campbells Road, Caping Road and O’Donnells Road. |
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup | Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup |
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup | Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup |
Motorists have been urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays. | Motorists have been urged to avoid the area or expect significant delays. |
A spokesperson for the Queensland ambulance service said the male truck driver was not seriously injured in the crash. | A spokesperson for the Queensland ambulance service said the male truck driver was not seriously injured in the crash. |
In 2014, the explosion of a truck laden with ammonium nitrate south of Charleville in western Queensland blew a major road in half, wrecked a rail bridge and destroyed multiple vehicles. | In 2014, the explosion of a truck laden with ammonium nitrate south of Charleville in western Queensland blew a major road in half, wrecked a rail bridge and destroyed multiple vehicles. |
The size of the explosion was estimated to be the equivalent of 10-15 tonnes of TNT. | The size of the explosion was estimated to be the equivalent of 10-15 tonnes of TNT. |
Eight people were injured in the explosion. | Eight people were injured in the explosion. |