"A chlorine gas leak occurred when a tank fell and exploded," authorities confirmed late Monday.

The tank contained about 30 tons according to authorities.

Thick yellow gas

Video recordings on social media show how a large tank is lifted off a crane from a truck, and then drops the large container on a ship's deck.

The container explodes and thick yellow smoke spreads.

Port workers had to flee for their lives.

250 injured

More than 250 were injured due to the leak and most of them were treated in hospital for injuries, reports the state television company Mamlaka.

Local authorities asked people to stay home and close windows due to the gas spread.

Aqaba is located in the northern part of the Red Sea, right next to the Israeli Eilat, where the development of gas emissions is closely monitored.