The Port of Palma organises gas leak safety drill
Palma
13/01/2017
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), in partnership with Red Cross and Trasmediterranea, organised a hydrochloric gas safety drill at the Port of Palma today. A major unit comprising emergency services and security forces was deployed to the commercial docks this morning.
The drill involved a dummy hydrochloride gas leak from a tank on a platform being transported by Trasmediterranea's boat Tenacia to its destination at the Port of Palma at 8 am. The gas leak poisoned passengers and crew due to inhalation.
The Port of Palma's control centre was immediately notified of the events and the port's Internal Emergency Plan (PEI) was automatically activated. Besides the APB and the Directorate-General of Emergencies, the Government Delegation of the Balearic Islands, Red Cross, Trasmediterranea, the Guardia Civil, the Fire Service of Palma, and the Local, National and Port Police all participated in the drill.
After assessing the situation, the evacuation procedure was triggered and passengers with visible signs of poisoning by gas inhalation were rescued. Second year students from the Red Cross Vocational Training of Emergency Medical Technicians performed the enactment and, under the guidance of specialist staff, assessed the theoretical-practical training of participants. Initiatives of this sort reinforce the APB's commitment to safety and the smooth implementation of the Internal Emergency Plan at each port of general interest on the islands.
