UWI monitoring noxious fumes following incident at nearby NWC plant

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona is closely monitoring a situation involving a noxious gas smell affecting the campus following an incident at the nearby National Water Commission (NWC) Mona Dam Treatment Plant.

In a notice to the Mona community on Tuesday, the university said the incident at the treatment plant resulted in the smell of a noxious gas reaching the campus.

“The safety and well-being of our campus community remain our highest priority,” the university said.

UWI said its Chief Emergency Officer, Major Clive Davis, is overseeing the university’s response and closely monitoring the situation.

The university has not indicated whether anyone has been injured or identified the type or source of the gas.

It said that should circumstances warrant an evacuation, the necessary emergency procedures would be activated and instructions provided to affected members of the campus community.

UWI urged students, faculty, staff and other members of the campus community to remain calm, stay alert and follow official instructions.

“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the university said.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the fumes were coming from a leaking tank containing chlorine.

Efforts to get a comment from the NWC have been unsuccessful.

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