Manta: 18-year-old dies after ammonia leak on tuna vessel

An ammonia leak on a tuna vessel anchored in the port of Manta, Ecuador, resulted in the death of an 18-year-old worker. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 9, while maintenance, painting, and welding work were being performed during the tuna fishing ban.

According to the Manta Fire Department, six workers were affected by the toxic gas. In an attempt to escape the leak, several workers jumped into the sea. Five individuals were rescued and transported to the Rafael Rodríguez Zambrano Hospital for medical attention. However, Christopher Cedeño Dueñas, 18, disappeared after entering the water. His body was later recovered at a depth of 15 meters. Authorities are conducting investigations to determine if the cause of death was drowning or gas exposure, as well as the exact cause of the ammonia leak.