Hydrofluoric acid leak from a container ship at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, sends over 100 people to the hospital; terminal operations fully suspended and evacuation underway.

On the evening of July 14 local time, a sudden hazardous chemical leak occurred at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. A container carrying hydrofluoric acid on an ocean-going container ship was damaged and leaked, causing a large amount of toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride vapor to spread. The port immediately initiated the highest level of emergency response, fully suspending terminal operations. A total of 155 people underwent medical checks, with multiple people hospitalized for treatment. Port shipping and land transport were temporarily blocked.

According to an official announcement from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the incident occurred at the MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) at the Deurganck dock. The vessel involved was the "MSC MIA SUMMER II". That night, a container holding hydrofluoric acid on the ship was damaged, causing the hazardous chemicals inside to leak continuously. The volatile hydrogen fluoride gas rapidly spread to the terminal operation area.

After the danger was detected, the port immediately activated a municipal-level emergency response. Firefighters, first aid, hazardous chemical disposal experts, and emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene. To avoid the risk of poisoning and burns, all staff at the terminal were urgently evacuated, and operations at the entire MPET terminal were completely suspended. Local broadcaster RTBF subsequently disclosed the casualty and treatment data for this incident: A total of 155 dockworkers and crew members received medical screening, of whom 28 remained in hospital for observation, and one injured person was transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment.

This accident exposed the highly dangerous characteristics of delayed poisoning associated with hydrofluoric acid. Multiple injured individuals only gradually showed symptoms of discomfort several hours after inhaling the hydrogen fluoride vapor. The lack of obvious physical sensation in the initial stage makes it extremely easy to miss the optimal window for treatment. To block the spread of pollution, the emergency department set up multiple layers of safety cordons around the leakage area, closed the Kieldrecht lock bridge, and suspended all vessel passage in surrounding waterways. Truck entry and exit and railway freight channels at the terminal were simultaneously closed, completely interrupting land transport in the port area. The site was handed over to professional hazardous chemical teams to carry out neutralization, plugging, and harmless cleanup.

Hydrofluoric Acid: A Widely Used Basic Industrial Raw Material

Hydrofluoric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride gas. It is colorless, transparent, volatile, and has a strong pungent odor. It is an indispensable key raw material for the global chemical, electronics, and manufacturing industries Yangcheng Evening News •...:

1. Electronic Semiconductor Industry: Electronic-grade high-purity hydrofluoric acid is a core etching and cleaning reagent for chips and LCD panels, used for precision processing of silicon wafers, making it a necessary raw material for microelectronics manufacturing;

2. Metal and Glass Processing: Used for rust removal and polishing of stainless steel and aluminum surfaces, glass engraving, and ceramic etching; it can dissolve silicon-containing materials to achieve precision processing;

3. Chemical Production: Used to manufacture fluororesins, fluororubber, and various fluoride products, as well as serving as a catalyst for petroleum refining cracking;

4. Other Fields: Used in scenarios such as dental porcelain repair bonding, laboratory mineral analysis, and industrial special cleaning.

The Fatal Hazards of Hydrofluoric Acid, with Prominent Delayed Damage Risks

Although hydrofluoric acid is classified as a weak acid in chemistry, its danger level far exceeds that of strong acids like sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. It is listed as a Class I highly toxic hazardous chemical, commonly known as "bone dissolving water." The core risks are divided into three categories:

1. Strong Penetration and Corrosion, Damage Reaching the Bones

Ordinary strong acids only burn the epidermis, but the fluoride ions in hydrofluoric acid can quickly penetrate the skin and mucous membranes, reaching deep into subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and even bones. Upon contact, it continuously destroys soft tissue, causing blisters, ulcers, tissue blackening and necrosis. In severe cases, it causes irreversible corrosion of bones, and wounds are extremely difficult to heal.

2. Delayed Onset with Extremely Strong Concealment

After contact with low-concentration hydrofluoric acid, there is no obvious pain within a short period. The incubation period can last from several hours to more than ten hours, making it easy for the injured to ignore their exposure history and delay treatment. Although high-concentration contact causes immediate stinging, respiratory tract damage after inhaling the vapor also has a characteristic of delayed onset. Multiple injured individuals in this port accident exhibited delayed poisoning reactions.

3. Systemic Toxicity, Can Induce Fatal Acute Conditions

After fluoride ions enter the blood, they quickly combine with calcium and magnesium ions in the body, causing hypocalcemia and electrolyte disorders. Mild cases result in nausea, chest tightness, and muscle twitching, while severe cases can induce malignant arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Inhaling high concentrations of hydrogen fluoride vapor can cause bronchitis and pulmonary edema. Eye contact can lead to corneal perforation and permanent blindness. Large-scale skin contact and massive inhalation both carry lethal risks.

Aftermath of the Accident

As of now, the Port of Antwerp is continuing to carry out the plugging of the leaking container and the neutralization and disinfection of on-site pollution. Environmental protection departments are monitoring the fluoride concentration in the air and water of the port area in real-time to prevent secondary environmental pollution.

The recovery time for the involved terminal, waterways, and land transport has not yet been announced. The port authority has simultaneously launched an investigation into the cause of the container damage and traced the safety of hazardous chemical sea transport loading. A comprehensive review and rectification regarding safety regulations for the sea transport and terminal storage of high-risk corrosive goods like hydrofluoric acid is underway. Industry insiders stated that this large-scale leakage accident has also sounded a safety alarm for the storage and transport of hazardous chemical containers and the control of hazardous chemicals on ships in global ports.