YAZOO CITY, Miss. (AP) – An explosion occurred at CF Industries, a manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on Wednesday, resulting in an ammonia leak that prompted the evacuation of nearby residents. The incident took place at the facility located north of Yazoo City, which is situated approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Jackson.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced the incident through a post on the social media platform X, indicating that emergency responders from across the state were mobilized to address the anhydrous ammonia leak. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries have been reported thus far, as confirmed by Governor Reeves.
“Thank you to all of Mississippi’s first responders and emergency managers for quickly responding to the leak,” Reeves stated, highlighting the prompt action taken to ensure public safety.
CF Industries issued a statement affirming that all employees and contractors who were present at the facility during the explosion have been accounted for and safely evacuated. The company noted that there were no injuries as a result of the incident.
Eyewitness Andre Robinson, a resident living approximately half a mile from the CF Industries facility, recounted his experience during the explosion. He described hearing a loud noise resembling a sonic boom or a tree crashing on his house, which caused his home to shake. When he looked outside, Robinson observed a large plume of gray smoke billowing from the facility and detected a strong ammonia odor. “We’re used to the ammonia smell, but not that bad,” he remarked, stating that his family later evacuated to Jackson due to the circumstances.
The Yazoo City plant hosts an ammonia production unit, four nitric acid production units, and additional processing plants. It has the capacity to store about 48,000 tons of ammonia; however, the specific amount present at the time of the explosion has not been disclosed.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reassured the public by announcing via a post on X that air monitoring operations are currently in effect and will persist as long as necessary to guarantee public safety. Anhydrous ammonia, a crucial fertilizer ingredient providing nitrogen for corn and wheat crops, can cause burns when contacted in gas or liquid form, underscoring the seriousness of such incidents.
The situation remains under close observation as officials continue to monitor the area, ensuring that residents are safe from any potential health hazards stemming from the ammonia leak.
