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| French gas cloud causes a stink in south-east England | French gas cloud causes a stink in south-east England |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A foul-smelling cloud of gas that wafted over parts of south-east England from a chemical factory in northern France prompted dozens of calls to emergency services. | A foul-smelling cloud of gas that wafted over parts of south-east England from a chemical factory in northern France prompted dozens of calls to emergency services. |
| An accidental discharge of the gas mercaptan from a factory in Rouen passed across the Channel early on Tuesday morning. | An accidental discharge of the gas mercaptan from a factory in Rouen passed across the Channel early on Tuesday morning. |
| People in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and parts of London reported an unpleasant aroma. Sussex police said they had received more than 25 calls by 9.15am, neighbouring Surrey had 15 calls by 11.30am, and Kent police reportedly had a large number of calls. | People in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and parts of London reported an unpleasant aroma. Sussex police said they had received more than 25 calls by 9.15am, neighbouring Surrey had 15 calls by 11.30am, and Kent police reportedly had a large number of calls. |
| Emergency services said the gas was harmless and presented no risk to the public. | |
| Sussex police said: "We understand that this smell emanates from an accidental factory discharge in Rouen, more than 60 miles west of Paris. The smell is from an additive to the gas which has an unpleasant aroma but is not toxic and there is no danger to the public." | |
| Mercaptan is added to municipal gas to alert people to gas leaks, among other uses. The French interior ministry said the factory at the centre of the leak is owned by Lubrizol, a subsidiary of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway group. | |
| Kent fire and rescue service said: "South Kent residents are being asked to keep doors and windows closed due to a gas cloud that is believed to have come across from France, following reports of a gas leak from a factory 75 miles west of Paris. [We are] aware and liaising with partner agencies." | Kent fire and rescue service said: "South Kent residents are being asked to keep doors and windows closed due to a gas cloud that is believed to have come across from France, following reports of a gas leak from a factory 75 miles west of Paris. [We are] aware and liaising with partner agencies." |
| The Metropolitan police tweeted: "We are aware of reports of a strong noxious gas-like smell in some south-east London boroughs – no risks to public." | The Metropolitan police tweeted: "We are aware of reports of a strong noxious gas-like smell in some south-east London boroughs – no risks to public." |