Serbian city declares emergency after ammonia leak

Fifteen people were admitted to hospital and an emergency declared in Pirot, a southeastern Serbian municipality, following an ammonia leakage from a nearby cargo train, local media reported.

One child was among those who were admitted to Nis hospital with poisoning symptoms, according to reports. They said that no one was in any life-threatening condition.

The train, which consisted of 20 wagons, was transporting ammonia from Agropolychim in Bulgaria to Zorka Eliksir in Serbia, located 90 km west of Belgrade.

According to media reports, two wagons were reported as having left the tracks Sunday afternoon and had turned over, causing one of them to leak.

Goran Vesic, Infrastructure Minister, stated that the accident was caused by the bad condition of the rail tracks. They were due for repairs.

Nova S news portal reported that there was a strong ammonia smell and fog in Pirot on Monday morning (26 December).

Due to the emergency situation, schools and kindergartens were closed and people were advised to stay home if possible.

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