Ammonia leak occurs after tanker truck overturns on Mexican highway

A tanker truck carrying approximately 25 tons of anhydrous ammonia overturned on the 150D Ciudad Mendoza-Cordoba highway on Saturday evening, November 7. The accident occurred near kilometer 265+900 in the Curva del Pocito area, close to the municipalities of Nogales, Huiloapan, and Rio Blanco.

The driver sustained injuries and received medical attention from emergency responders. Due to the hazardous nature of the chemical, authorities from three levels of government established an 80-meter security perimeter and suspended traffic in both directions on the highway. Emergency personnel, including the National Guard, firefighters, and Civil Protection, worked to control the leak and transfer the remaining substance to another unit.

While authorities stated there was no immediate risk to nearby residents, the incident caused significant disruption, paralyzing a major connection between Veracruz and Puebla for nearly 16 hours. Traffic was eventually restored on Sunday morning after the tanker was removed from the scene.