No Airborne Ammonia in Pirot, Casualties Not in Life-Threatening Condition

Pirot (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

In the wake of an ammonia leak from the overturned car of a cistern train, measurements taken in multiple spots in Pirot and Bela Palanka on Dec. 26 have shown that there was no ammonia in the air, and that Nis's Medijana water source was not contaminated with ammonia.

A freight train transporting ammonia ran of the tracks between Pirot and the village of Stanicenja around 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, with four cars derailing, one of which began to leak.

Luka Causic, acting head of the Emergency Situation Sector, told a session of the national Emergency Situation Headquarters that 56 persons had been taken from the contaminated area to hospitals in Nis and Pirot, but denied claims that one of the cars had gone into the Nisava River, the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

Serbian Health Minister Danica Grujicic said all casualties were stable and that their lives were not in danger. The casualties include six children, three of whom were admitted for treatment in Nis, and one Bulgarian and one Turkish citizen.

According to Grujicic, an autopsy will be performed on the 74-year-old man who died late on Dec. 25 upon arrival at the Pirot hospital after being found in his automobile.

An emergency situation is still in force in the Pirot municipality and citizens are encouraged not to leave their homes and to use bottled rather than tap water.

The city's Emergency Situation Headquarters has decided that there will be no classes in elementary or high schools on Dec. 27. Day care centers will be closed, too, and keeping factories closed, especially in the industrial zone, is also recommended.