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Toxic leak prompts evacuation in Latvian sea port

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A toxic leak in the Latvian port city of Riga has prompted authorities to evacuate residents from nearby neighborhoods due to the threat of an explosion, a spokeswoman for the Riga mayor's office said on Thursday.

RIGA, July 23 (RIA Novosti) -A toxic leak in the Latvian port city of Riga has prompted authorities to evacuate residents from nearby neighborhoods due to the threat of an explosion, a spokeswoman for the Riga mayor's office said on Thursday.

Toxic acetone cyanohydrin leaked from a cargo container Wednesday night but the leak was discovered only on Thursday morning.

"Evacuation of residents from the houses located near the port is currently under way," Anna Kononova said, adding that the risk of an explosion had complicated attempts for emergency relief operations.

Riga Mayor Nil Ushakov said the leak of toxic substances in the Riga port posed no threat to residents of the Latvian capital. However, city authorities have prohibited swimming near the port as precautionary measures.

Latvian Health Minister Baiba Rozentale earlier assured journalists that medics were prepared to render medical assistance should the need arise.

Firefighters said that the threat of an explosion still persists, but considered the threat to be minimal.

 

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