Ammonia leak downs South Cotabato villagers

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines — At least 30 people were hospitalized yesterday following an ammonia leak from a fruit processing plant in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Police said the management of Dole Philippines is attending to the needs of the victims, who suffered nausea and severe headache.  

The accident affected residents of five barangays around Dole’s pineapple plantation. 

Erwin Rommel del Carmen, administrator of a Red Cross chapter, said hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.