Dozens of students were injured after a Delta Airlines flight dumped jet fuel over several schools near the Los Angeles International Airport.
“Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX,” Delta tells PEOPLE in a statement. “The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight.”
A follow-up statement from the airline indicated that the fuel release was “required as part of normal procedure to reach a safe landing weight” and that they were now working with officials in the area regarding those who were injured.
“We are in touch with Los Angeles World Airports and the LA County Fire Department and share concerns regarding reported minor injuries to adults and children at a school in the area,” the airline spokesperson added.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) tells PEOPLE they responded to the scene at Park Avenue Elementary School just after 12:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
At that time, officialssaid on Twitterthey were working to determine what substance had dropped from the sky and onto the playground but noted that several reports mentioned the smell of jet fuel in the area.
The LACoFD also confirmed to PEOPLE that hazmat units were en route to the school to investigate.
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By 1:30 p.m., the LACoFD confirmed that a total of 26 people were being treated and that the substance dumped was, in fact, jet fuel.
“All minor injuries w/ no transports to local hospital from school,” theywrote on Twitter. “There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL. Refer to school regarding plans for child pick-up.”
Later in the day, the LACoFD revealed that the number of patients had risen to 44, with minor injuries being reported from other schools in Los Angeles, including Tweedy Elementary and Gabriel Elementary in South Gate, as well as Graham Elementary in Florence Graham.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) also reported thatthey treated 16 patients with minor injuriesfrom Jordan High School and 93rd Elementary, bringing the total number of people affected to 60.
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However, when the jet fuel dumping is an emergency, the planes don’t necessarily have to follow all of these requirements, the FAA states.
Ina statement on their Twitter, the FAA confirmed that they were aware of the incident and have procedures in place for fuel dumping.
“The FAA is thoroughly investigating the circumstances behind today’s incident involving a Delta Airlines flight that was returning to Los Angeles International Airport. There are special fuel-dumping procedures for aircraft operating into and out of any major US airport,” an FAA spokesperson wrote. “These procedures call for fuel to be dumped over designated unpopulated areas, typically at higher altitudes so the fuel atomizes and disperses before it reaches the ground.”
Being exposed to jet fuel will likely cause a person to experience irritant contact dermatitis, according toDermNet NZ.
Most wounds can be cleaned using water and a “specific remedy against the particular toxic chemical.” Compresses, creams, and ointments also can help promote healing, according to the site.
source: people.com
