Jashim Uddin, an assistant director of fire service, said at least 200 visitors to a nearby tourist spot fell sick as wind carried the gas to the area across the Karnaphuli river which flows by the fertiliser factory.
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He said the container had stored 500 tons of Ammonium Phosphate.
The gas quickly spread across large parts of the city.
Mesbah Uddin, the district’s chief administrator, said nearly 56 people had been admitted the Chittagong Medical College Hospital after the gas leak.
Other officials said that strong winds blew the toxic gas across a 10-kilometre radius and there were reports of people being taken ill at the southern city’s worldwide airport.
“The gas is spreading from the DPA (Diammonium phosphate) factory causing breathing problems of the people within several kilometres in the neighbourhood”.
Of the almost 250 taken ill, 56 people, including more than 10 children, were admitted to hospitals in the port city. “Forty-eight people are still in the hospital today but they are out of danger”, he told AFP. “Fire fighters are trying to stop the emission”, officer-in-charge of the nearby police station said.
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), which runs the unit, formed a 10-member committee to investigate the incident, while the district administration has formed a three-member panel to probe the leak.
Idris Ali, an Associate Professor at the Government Hazi Mohammad Mohsin College’s chemistry department, said exposure to ammonia could cause slackening, vomiting and breathing problems.
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“The situation is now under control”, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mezbahuddin Ahmed told newsmen.
