RIGA- Authorities have confirmed that the risk of explosion has been averted after residents were evacuated due to a leaked chemical substance from a shipping container.
Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs announced that the substance could have exploded due to the high temperature. The chemical has been pumped into safety containers.
Traffic restrictions were in place this morning and have now been lifted.
The chemical, acetone cyanohydrin, is very hazardous on its own and when in contact with water. The substance is used in the manufacturing of plastics.
Ship traffic in the Daugava River is still at a standstill after being halted in the wake of the chemical leak at the Riga port.
