A pungent smell of gas started affecting areas of Haina at 2:00pm on Sunday, becoming worse throughout the night and into the morning hours of Monday, when it could be felt over most areas of the southern National District and western Santo Domingo. According to Diario Libre, dozens of people were hospitalized and classes were suspended in some schools as contradictory explanations were offered for the smell. Yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Environment stated that the leak had come from the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (REFIDOMSA). Dozens of indisposed children from Fernando Arturo de Merino, Apec, Elvira de Mendoza, Calasanz and Quisqueya schools were taken different medical centers for treatment. These schools suspended classes, as did Loyola, Las Mercedes, La Gacela and Ivan Guzman Klang schools. Approximately 40 people suffering from respiratory difficulties were hospitalized by the National Emergency Commission (CNE). The Gringo neighborhood in Haina was in a state of chaos. The medical center did not have electricity to treat patients and one of the physicians fainted. The center's director, Catalino Bido, stayed on duty although she was nauseous and vomited twice, was suffering from fatigue and headaches, symptoms she said were consistent with intoxication. Yesterday morning, contradictory versions were being offered by Industry and Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Castillo and Refidomsa President Aristides Fernandez Zucco. The former identified the source of the gas leak as Refidomsa whereas the latter was denying his institution had anything to do with the problem. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment confirmed that the smell of methyl mercaptan that affected large areas of Santo Domingo and Haina yesterday morning had come from Refidomsa. According to the Assistant Director of Environmental Management Zoila Gonzalez, a group of technicians is carrying out an investigation in the area where the chemical substance is kept at Refidomsa. It is a 500-gallon tank but the exact amount of the gas that escaped could not be determined. According to Gonzalez, it must have been significant as the smell of this gas is imperceptible in small quantities. A source at Refidomsa confirmed to Diario Libre that the tank was being cleaned early on Monday morning. The source denied the Ministry of Environment's explanations stating the amount of methyl mercaptan in the tank when it was washed does not explain the smell that enveloped Santo Domingo. A CNE commission is investigating whether there was malpractice or a lack of compliance with procedures for the management of cases like this.
Listin Diario reports that the Director of Environmental Protection at the Ministry of Environment, Manuel Vasquez Tieno, explained that methyl mercaptan is used as an odorizing agent in LGP so people can easily detect leaks at their home installations. He explained that one part of the substance can spread over 50 million parts of air, and this caused the smell that covered the city. When questioned by Listin Diario, Armed Forces Minister Admiral Sigfrido Pared Perez said there was negligence from the people in charge of washing a 400-gallon tank who did not realize that tropical storm Alpha had reversed the winds which normally flow from land to sea. The landward flow of the winds caused the vapor to cover the city.
El Caribe reports that Refidomsa Operations Manager, Alfredo Nara said that they are collaborating with the investigations commission and that a press conference would be held today at 9:00 am to provide more details about the case. The tank where the substance is kept had not been cleaned in 30 years.
Conflicting information about the toxicity of the gas-methyl mercaptan-that leaked and affected areas of Santo Domingo and Haina yesterday varies according to different government institutions. According to the Ministries of Public Health and Industry and Commerce, the gas is non-toxic. However, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) states otherwise. CNE President Luis A. Luna Paulino, indicated that a commission is investigating the cause of the leak.
Listin Diario reports that lung specialist Salvador Martinez Selmo stated that the gas is lightly toxic since it caused bronchial irritation, particularly in people with base complications such as asthma or bronchitis, respiratory difficulties, nausea, throat irritation, vomiting, and conjunctivitis in a large portion of the population that was exposed to it. According to the Ministry of Environment's Director of Environmental Protection, Manuel Vasquez Tineo, the product is very dense and moves close to the ground. It is also toxic, and exposure to the substance produces somnolence, nausea, tremors, weakness, headaches, loss of consciousness, rash, pain and eye irritation.
Meanwhile, DR1 searched the US Environmental Protection Agency website for information about this gas and found that it "can cause death by respiratory paralysis. It is an eye and respiratory tract irritant. Exposure results in pulmonary edema and hepatic and renal damage (Clayton and Clayton 1981-82, p. 2067)" see http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/CeppoEHS.nsf/Profiles/74-93-1?OpenDocument
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director Robert S. Mueller III, offered his cooperation to the Dominican authorities yesterday in the fight against public corruption, drug trafficking, people smuggling, terrorism, and violent crime. He also stated that the FBI would continue to offer assistance in cases involving collapsed Dominican banks if they affected the United States. According to Diario Libre, Mueller stated that economic "white-collar" crime must be fought against so that people who affect the income of citizens who work hard for their money, are sent to jail. Mueller was speaking during a meeting with President Leonel Fernandez in the presence of US ambassador Hans Hertell. The FBI will also continue to share experience and training with homologous institutions in the DR, especially now that the new criminal code places greater emphasis on battling public corruption, and has become a model for other countries wanting to tackle some of the most difficult areas of law enforcement, stated Mueller. After the meeting, Mueller had lunch with the President, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito, Executive Branch Legal Consultant Cesar Pina Toribio, Chief of Police Bernardo Sanatana Paez, Secretary of the Presidency Danilo Medina, Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda and Anti-Narcotics Consultant Marino Vinicio Castillo. During a meeting with AG Dominguez Brito, Mueller discussed the DR's participation in the fight against international crime and other topics.
Listin Diario indicates that Mueller declared that during the current government administration there has been increased police and intelligence capacity. He said that intelligence institutions in both countries have performed joint investigations into drug trafficking and people smuggling. Also, there have been several cases of people trying to enter the US who were found to be involved with terrorist groups.
El Caribe indicates that Mueller's visit to the Presidential Palace involved strict security measures. The FBI chief answered journalist's questions in the President's office prior to the luncheon.
At the end of this year, the United Nations will have disbursed approximately US$450 million to be invested in infrastructure projects in the DR. Niky Fabiancic, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in the DR stated the purpose of the investment is to generate prosperity and employment and to achieve important improvements in the social indicators. He stated that a similar amount is planned for investment in 2006. Fabiancic was speaking in the presence of President Leonel Fernandez and Vice President Rafael Alburquerque during the inauguration of the UN System's new offices.
The National Migration Council, which is led by Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda Rancier, warned that foreigners who are not properly registered will be classified as illegal. This is part of the proposed regulations for the application of the General Migration Law, signed on 15 August 2004. The law requires that foreigners must have ID cards or documents that indicate whether they are temporary or permanent residents, or non-resident temporary workers. The law also establishes the deportation of illegal aliens with strict respect for their human rights. Foreigners living in the DR for under five years until the signing of the Migration Law will be considered non-residents.
Four bills presented by the Executive Branch are waiting to be passed by Congress. Listin Diario reports that these bills establish the frameworks for (a) the Purchase and Contracting of Goods, Works, Services and Concessions; (b) the General Accounting Office and the National Internal Control System; (c) collection efficiency; and (d) legal autonomy for the Customs Department.
According to the Presidents of the Association for the Tourist Development of Juan Dolio and Guayacanes and the Association of Hotels of the Eastern Region of the DR, Radhames Martinez Aponte and Ernesto Veloz, respectively, the hotel sector cannot continue to operate with a foreign exchange rate of RD$33 to US$1. Listin Diario reports they are suggesting that the government raise the minimum rate to RD$30 to one so they can regain the competitiveness they have lost in relation to other destinations. Yesterday, commercial banks closed operations selling the US currency at RD$33.10 to RD$33.15 for each US$1.00, whereas the purchasing rate was at RD$33.00 and RD$32.25, a 40-cent reduction compared to last Friday.
Fifty-six persons who were lost at sea after trying to reach Puerto Rico on a boat 18 days ago (see DR1 Daily News 18 October 2005) have been officially declared missing by the authorities after intensive sea and air searches yielded no results, according to the Civil Defense Director in Nagua, Minerva Santos. El Caribe reports that the General Director of Civil Defense, General Luis Luna Paulino, reported that they had received information regarding the possibility that the group was somewhere in Cuba. His department has alerted the Ministry of Foreign Relations, state intelligence institutions, and Dominican Consul in Miami, in an effort to confirm the information.
The import of birds from countries or areas affected by avian influenza (bird flu) has been prohibited by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Stockbreeding Department. A public announcement by Minister Amilcar Romero and Director Angel R. Faxas indicates that the disease does not exist nor has it ever existed in the DR. The prohibition includes all types of birds: corral, exotic, gamecocks, hens, pets, etc. Prior to the import of birds and/or products or byproducts of avian origin, a sanitary permit must be obtained from the Animal Health Section of the Stockbreeding Department.
Hundreds of passengers were stranded in Dominican airports due to the cancellation of commercial flights caused by the passing of Hurricane Wilma through southern Florida. Four American Airlines flights from Las Americas Airport to Miami were cancelled as were two Cubana de Aviacion flights to Havana and two Acerca flights to Colombia and Venezuela.
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