Ukraine’s Sumykhimprom chemicals and fertilizers producer sustained a leakage of ammonia following damage to an ammonia pipeline – or, according to some reports, an ammonia tank – early on the morning of March 21. One employee was reportedly injured as a result of the accident.
The Sumy-based producer, located about 350 km east of Kyiv, described the ammonia leak – which occurred around 4:30 a.m. (local time) – as “minor” and said the pipeline, in the compound fertilizer section of the plant, had been sealed with the help of the State Emergency Service (SES), Interfax reported, citing a March 21 company statement. Thereafter, Sumykhimprom said there was no threat to the local population or the environment.
Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that the Ukraine rescue services at 07:45 a.m. announced on Twitter the accident was “finished.”
Sumy Regional Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, as cited by various media reports on the day of the accident, did not say what had caused the leak. However, heavy fighting with Russian forces has been reported in the area, and according to a report by the Ukrainian multimedia platform, Ukrinform, the ammonia tank was damaged by shelling.
Sumykhimprom employees have begun routine maintenance to restore the damaged areas.
The plant was shut down in emergency mode on Feb. 24, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.