Scare at gas plant

Enemalta's gas bottling plant in Qajjenza was evacuated yesterday morning after a tank, at first thought to contain highly flammable LPG gas, developed a leak.

Marks left on the tank indicate it may have been damaged by a truck which reversed onto it.

The leak was reported by employees at about 7 a.m., alarmed by the strong smell.

The smell, in fact, came from a tank which contained Mercaptan, a substance which is added to gas to make leaks detectable since LPG is odourless.

The plant was nonetheless evacuated as a precaution and residents in the area were asked not to switch on their airconditioning units as they could suck in the gas.

The corporation said the plant was operational again at 11.30 a.m. after the Operational Health and Safety Authority cleared the site.

Enemalta said in a statement that at no time was there a leak of LPG.

The reassurance was also aimed at residents who live adjacent to the plant.

In the coming years, the residents can look forward to having the plant relocated to a site in Benghajsa, on the cliffs adjacent to the Malta Freeport's oil storage facilities, after years of living close to large gas reserves.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority approved the outline development plan last February and is currently processing the full permit for the relocation.