Chemical fire at harbor

18 May 2010 03:28 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A container at the dangerous cargo section at the Colombo harbor caught fire sending thick black smoke in the air as well as a chemical smell, a spokesman at the Colombo harbor told Daily Mirror online. The fire brigade was sent to the scene and there are no reports of casualties.

The Chairman of the Sri Lanka ports authority said they were still trying to identify what chemical had caught fire. (YP&ISA)

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Comments - 23

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 03:25 AM

Are we geared up to face tragedies like these....!!!..with the wind situation strong these days the authorities should investigate things more seriously...!!!

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 08:36 AM

I am totally with Archie's comments.
Lets not mix up and create another issue here. We all know how ineffective this govt is.
Now People live in that area should get out if possible as we dont know what chemical it is and how dangerouse its impact will be. Send your kids elsewhere until the air is clear. Dont expect and wait for the concern minister to act. they will never wake up.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 08:22 AM

When people of Mullivaikal suffered with smoke, bombs and bullet same time last year, you all were watching movie and cricket match... now its our turn. last 3 days nature punished southern and western people

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 07:23 AM

we can see the reason of your desperation, mr. Thirdeye!!! if you are so upset about LTTEs end, go and cry. but don't come up with unfair allegations. and did your fair eelam let other communities to at least live there??

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 07:10 AM

Oh come on thirdeye ..How old are you... 5? lets not blame every thing on the govt. appropriate action was not taken yesterday.. agreed.. but you could have moved out your self if needed my friend.. and as Archie said your just trying ignite a racist issue which is non existence...will the rescue team ever ask of ur nationality or religion in an emergency? i don't think so.. not in Sri Lanka for sure... my friend.. so it was not 99% tamils.. its was 100% Sri Lankans .. and grow up..

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 05:57 AM

DONT COMPLAIN MAN, THIS IS SRI LANKA, IT WAS THE SAME YESTERDAY, SAME TODAY AND WILL BE THE SAME TOMORROW!

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 05:55 AM

is this part of the one year celebrations????

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 05:47 AM

Thirdeye.. I mean I am not a fan of this government in the least bit either but I mean just cos they didn't have a contingency plan or didn't evacuate the people doesn't mean it's cos 99% of them were tamils ???? I mean.. when have you heard of the government evacuating an entire area dense in population like the areas you have mentioned? So... it is a gov fault for not doing anything but let's not assume and accuse of things that will only ignite more hate..

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 05:13 AM

Govt's inaction is regretted but don't try link it with a racial issue.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 04:29 AM

Authorities are always in deep slumber when it comes to anything in the interest of the public. Is there anything they are able to do properly?

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 04:24 AM

What !! smoke then there must be fire.
As Remy mentioned the people should have been evacuated first.
Did they presuppose it was oxygen that was released.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 03:30 AM

Isnt there a special minister for drainage. Then see to it that all water outlets are not clogged - this would prevent flooding. WW - you are minister for construction, housing & engineering services & common amenities - this could be handled by you, as its a common amenity.

Tuesday, 18 May 2010 04:17 PM

Whats happening??? Colombo 13 is badly affected... Cannot breath even... Can someone explain whether it will have any impact to human...

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 03:23 AM

As soon as this chemical fire broke out, the authorities should have warned residents of the area to evacuate - this would have prevented sicknesses caused by emissions.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 02:26 AM

"Trying to identify what chemical"

This is ridiculous.

Just look at the packing list or the cargo manifest.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 01:56 AM

Residents faced problems when the situation occured, the smoke is terrible. it was whirling for few hours. Breathing problems as well as the eyes were affected. None of the media has reported about the incident to safe guard the people or any precautions, or side effects. Still the authorities seems to be in deep sleep.............
A resident close by.

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 01:53 AM

heavy rain,flood, now fire. the war victory celebration should be cancelled. people suffring from so many areas in this country. its much better to consider about these peoples needs....

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 01:45 AM

Government should take some action

the port authority should have that night ?????????

i had headaches due to the smoke

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 01:32 AM

We are living in that area and we are finding it hard to breathe. it started last night and we didnt see any action taken so far(atleast any evacuation) The government is not acting fast enough because 99% of the people who are living in Kotahena & Kochikade are Tamils!. Shame on you guys!

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 01:22 AM

When trying to become leaders in the business field we can expect this. But are we prepared to handle situations like this? If not must prepare the country..

Tuesday, 18 May 2010 10:04 PM

Ideally, the residents in the area should have been evacuated by the authorities, since they do not know what chemical was air borne.

Tuesday, 18 May 2010 07:22 PM

Black smoke - one year after the war!

Tuesday, 18 May 2010 04:32 PM

Iran's bio-gas perhaps???

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Chemical fire at harbor

Comments - 23

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