Chemical spill at Makati school forces evacuation of residents

Dozens of residents in Barangay (village) San Isidro, Makati City, were evacuated Sunday night following a late-afternoon chemical spill at the science laboratory of a nearby school, radio dzBB reported. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay told the radio station that the spill happened around 4 p.m. at the San Isidro National High School. The accident prompted authorities to close the school, Binay said. He said authorities have yet to make a head count of the victims of the spill, but reports said at least eight people, including six teachers of the school, have been rushed to hospitals. Binay said the victims suffered skin irritation and breathing difficulties after being exposed to chemical vapors believed to be mercury oxide, lead bromide and sulfuric chloride. According to Binay, the streets near the school-- P. Binay, Borneo, Uruguay and Bolivia—have been cordoned off. Binay said residents living within a 100-meter radius of the area were urged to leave. According to Binay, two teachers reported the incident to authorities after they felt dizzy from a heavy stench of chemicals coming from the school’s science laboratory on the fourth floor. The chemicals were in pint-sized jars stored in a hanging cabinet that crashed on the floor, Binay said. The jars were shattered, spilling the chemicals around the laboratory. -GMANews.TV