Gas Leak Chaos in Oklahoma: A Wake-Up Call for Safety

In a small Oklahoma city, a night of chaos unfolded when a tanker truck leaked dangerous ammonia gas. The incident forced hundreds to evacuate and sent dozens to the hospital. The truck, parked behind a hotel, started releasing the gas late Wednesday night. Emergency workers in gas masks went door-to-door, waking people up and telling them to leave. The gas caused breathing problems for those nearby. Around 30 people were taken to the hospital, with some in critical condition. The city's police chief said the cause was likely a mechanical failure. Anhydrous ammonia, used as farm fertilizer, can be deadly in high concentrations. About 500 to 600 people went to a shelter early Thursday. Schools were closed, and nursing homes were evacuated. One resident described the situation as crazy, thinking it was a dream. The cleanup could take several days, with authorities working to dilute the gas. This isn't the first time such an incident has happened. Just last week, a similar leak in Mississippi caused evacuations. Two years ago, five people died in Illinois from a tanker truck spill. The gas distributor, Airgas, urged people to follow authorities' instructions. The city of Weatherford, about 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, is now dealing with the aftermath. Authorities are monitoring air quality and working with environmental officials. Hazmat crews and the Oklahoma National Guard are assisting in the cleanup.