Nine diagnosed with phosphorus poisoning in southern Russia
March
[Presenter] The cause of a large chemical accident is being investigated in Stavropol. Forty-six people have been
taken to hospital as a result of the emission of a poisonous substance. Doctors have confirmed that nine of them have
been poisoned. It has been reported that the first emission was recorded on 21 March in a densely populated area of
Stavropol. A container with an unidentified chemical caught fire and ruptured next to the railway station. Specialists
discovered that the substance was white phosphorus, which is very dangerous.
[Ivan Pakhomov, head of the Stavropol line department for transport] It was established by the investigation that, as
a result of the fire, some kind of chemical substance was emitted from the metal container, which held approximately 100
litres, that is a non-standard container, an unusual one. It was established that the substance was phosphorus.
[Presenter] The patients include rescuers, fire-fighters and police who were involved in dealing with the aftermath
of the accident, as well as residents of the city. According to Emergencies Ministry specialists, the container could
have caught fire because of breaches in the procedures for storing chemicals.
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