Chlorine leak at Chimcomplex in Râmnicu Vâlcea sends three people to hospital

Emergency call on Friday morning

Firefighters from ISU Vâlcea were sent to the Chimcomplex chemical platform in Râmnicu Vâlcea on Friday morning, 13 November 2026, after a chlorine leak was reported at a compressor. Early information said one person was semi-conscious and possibly poisoned by chlorine. Firefighting crews, first aid teams and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialists were mobilised, together with ambulances from the Vâlcea County Ambulance Service (SAJ). Chimcomplex is described as the main chemical producer in the region. The operator's representatives later said the chlorine release had been stopped and the fault on the compressor repaired. The firefighting mission at the site was still under way in the latest reports.

Three people taken to hospital

Medical crews who reached the site found three people in need of care. Two were conscious and cooperative, while one was semi-conscious. All three were assessed, stabilised and transported by SAJ crews to the Râmnicu Vâlcea Emergency Reception Unit for investigation and specialist treatment. The breakdown of the three cases, as reported, is shown below.

Conscious and cooperative2

Semi-conscious1

Conscious and cooperative

2 people

Semi-conscious

1 people

Data from the article text

Evacuation and leak control

Non-essential personnel were sent home, and staff were moved toward the eastern side of the site. ISU Vâlcea said intervention crews were monitoring the situation permanently and would adapt protective measures to conditions on the ground. The fire service explained the decision to evacuate in its statement:

“As a preventive measure to protect staff, the evacuation of employees whose presence is not strictly necessary for essential activities at ICSI and CET has been ordered.”

Chlorine readings and public warning

The smell of chlorine was also noticed outside the industrial site, so the CBRN crew prepared measurements of the air. After those measurements, ISU Vâlcea reported a chlorine concentration of 10 ppm outside the industrial site. A warning message was sent to the population through the RO-Alert system to protect residents. Specialist crews continue to monitor chlorine concentrations in the atmosphere and to assess the operational situation. The sequence of reported updates is shown below.