Queen's Warehouse still closed due to HAZMAT
Published:Saturday | November 14, 2015 | 12:00 AM
The Jamaica Customs Agency’s (JCA) Queen’s 230 Warehouse remains closed to the public, pending clearance from the relevant agencies, which have been conducting an assessment of the facility into the suspected release of hazardous material (HAZMAT).
The facility was closed on November 9, 2015.
The kind of HAZMAT that may have been released remains unclear.
However the agency says samples collected by the Ministry of Health, and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), will be sent to the United Kingdom for testing.
It says Results from the tests are expected within seven days.
Following initial investigations, the JCA says it held an emergency meeting, with representatives from the MoH, NEPA, Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Office of Disaster & Emergency Management (ODPEM), and the Ministry of Finance and Planning to discuss the matter.
The agency says additionally arrangements will be made for the immediate disposal of items earmarked to be disposed in keeping with disposal requirements.
The Jamaica Customs Agency says the facility will return to its normal operations, once it receives clearance from the relevant agencies which are engaged in assessment, investigation and mitigation.