In a fertilizer production plant, a sulphuric acid (H2SO4) container exploded while two technicians were performing oxyacetylene cutting operations in the vicinity to remove plates fixed by nuts. The two technicians died in the explosion. The capacity was projected across the workshop and destroyed two other H2SO4 containers whose contents spilled onto a retention tank. The acidic cloud evaporated from the spill and dissipated into the atmosphere without any effects on the residents. Sodium carbonate was sprayed to neutralise the acid and avoid corrosion of the ‘ammonia pipes passing though the retention area.

The explosion resulted from the ignition of the hydrogen accumulated in the tank by the oxyacetylene flame. Hydrogen was formed by the corrosion of the steel tank by the sulphuric acid due to insufficient maintenance of the storage equipment.