Chemical leak in Northern Ireland — 17 people poisoned, 5 hospitalized

07 June 2025 , 11:06

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Five individuals received hospital treatment after a chemical incident in Co Down, Northern Ireland - a major incident was declared on Friday night

Five people were treated in hospital following a chemical incident in Co Down. A major incident was declared at the factory premises near Magheralin on Friday night after 17 people were treated by the ambulance service.

Five were transferred to hospital, including two firefighters. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said they received a call at 10.23pm on Friday. "Four fire appliances and a command support unit attended the scene along with a number of emergency ambulances, a hazardous area response team, a doctor and PSNI,” they said. “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service declared a major incident as a result of 17 people having to receive treatment.

“Of the 17 people treated, five were transferred to hospital which included two firefighters. All have since been discharged.”

They added: “There was no risk to the public beyond the site, however NIFRS implemented a precautionary 100-metre exclusion zone.

“The incident was brought under control in conjunction with the site operator and all emergency services left the scene at 4.50am.”

This comes as an 18-month-old child suffered potentially life-changing burns after an explosion on a boat, police said.

Officers received a report of a boat fire on the River Thames in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, at around noon on Saturday, Wiltshire Police said.

At the time of the incident, the boat was away from the bank and, as a result, all of those on board ended up in the water, according to the force.

All nine people on board, five adults and four children aged 18 months to seven years, were taken to hospital where three people remain in a stable condition, police said on Monday afternoon.

Two of those still in hospital, including the 18-month-old child, have suffered potentially life-changing burns, the force added.

Detective Superintendent Joe Garrity of Wiltshire Police said it was a “miracle” no one had died and praised the “heroic bravery” of two holidaymakers who were passing by and had entered the water to help those involved.

He said: “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident. It is a miracle there were no fatalities, and much of that must be put down to the response of two holidaymakers from Wales who happened to be passing.

“With no thought for their own safety, they jumped into the Thames to help save the lives of those involved, some of whom couldn’t swim... It was heroic bravery.

“I would also like to thank Gloucestershire and Thames Valley police officers who were the first to respond to the incident, RAF Fairford who also provided support, and the ambulance and fire services.

“A cordon remains in place on the river to ensure the safety of other canal users and for further inquiries into the cause of the explosion to be carried out.

“The boat itself also needs to be recovered... This scene is likely to remain in place for the next few days.”

Anyone with relevant information has been urged to contact Wiltshire Police quoting log 129 of May 31.