Two people have been hospitalised after two ammonia leaks in the South Island prompted emergency responses in Canterbury and Invercargill this morning.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and St John Ambulance were notified of an ammonia leak on a fishing vessel that berthed on the Lyttleton Port in Lyttleton.
St John told 1News two patients were transported "in moderate condition to Christchurch Hospital".
FENZ said crews from Lyttleton attended the scene, then later called for backup from other stations.
"Leak was isolated at 8am and after that crew ventilated the ship," a spokesperson said, "Currently the vessel has been returned to the owner with crews now just decontaminating their gear."
In Underwood, just north of Invercargill, FENZ received a call regarding an ammonia leak at the Alliance Freezing works at around 4am.
Crews from Wallacetown, Invercargill and Kingswell went to the scene and worked with staff to fix the leak.
"At 5.30am it was contained to one building and by 6.30am it was isolated and contained," a spokesperson said, "They have now returned the building to the staff and have returned to their stations."
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