A sulfuric acid tank with a capacity of 20,000 t exploded in a chemical plant, releasing 11,000 t of H2SO4. The acid spilled into the neighbouring port and formed a toxic cloud upon contact with the water.

A safety perimeter cover the entire city was set up and the 110,000 inhabitants were instructed to stay indoors. The confinement order was maintained for 4 hours. The accident injured 13 people (including 6 employees, 2 rescue workers and 5 members of the public) ranging from slight respiratory difficulties to eye irritation. The wind, blowing towards the sea and not in the direction of the city, was instrumental in quickly dispersing the cloud.

A ruptured water pipe had apparently flooded the ground supporting the acid storage tank involved in the accident. The ground was rendered unstable causing the tank to rupture.