On November 11, a strong and unpleasant odor was reported near a chemical plant in Uhuai, Inner Mongolia, raising concerns among local residents about a potential gas leak. The local authorities announced that the noxious smell was a result of tear gas used during an emergency drill. This explanation, however, has prompted skepticism among the public.
Around 5 PM on November 11, a white gas mysteriously appeared in the air near the chemical facility in the Haibowan District of Uhuai. The noxious odor quickly permeated the area, leaving citizens anxious about the possibility of an unidentified gas leakage occurring.
According to reports from Chinese state media, in the evening of the same day, officials from the Haibowan District released a statement regarding the unsettling situation. The report confirmed that at approximately 5 PM, a white gas was detected in the northern part of the district, which carried a strong and irritating smell. The authorities attributed this odor to the deployment of tear gas during a conducted emergency exercise.
Furthermore, the statement explained that the active component of the tear gas is a mixture containing capsaicin, which may cause mild irritation to the respiratory tract in the short term but is considered non-toxic. Officials assured the public that there was no need to panic, advising anyone who felt discomfort to rinse their nasal passages with saline solution and gargle with water for relief. They also recommended that those with heightened sensitivity keep their doors and windows shut and minimize outdoor activities.
However, the authorities did not provide details regarding the specific location of the drill, the quantity of tear gas utilized, or whether the local population had been informed in advance about the exercise.
The response from local netizens was swift and critical. Many expressed their disbelief, questioning how the odor still lingered in the air hours after the event. Comments included remarks such as, “The smell hasn’t dissipated even after five hours,” and “Why am I feeling nauseous?” Others pressed for clarification, asking, “Why carry out the drill in the city?” and remarking, “It feels like the amount used could cover the streets of Paris for a year, yet it’s still hanging heavy in the air.”
In discussions on the international social media platform X, users raised eyebrows at the rationale behind conducting an emergency drill involving tear gas near a chemical plant, implying that the reasoning seemed dubious.
Public records indicate that the Uhuai Haibowan High-tech Industrial Development Zone, located approximately 20 kilometers north of the Haibowan urban area, encompasses various industries such as photovoltaic manufacturing, energy storage equipment, new-energy vehicles, and integrated coal and steel production. This zone has received recognition as a chemical industrial area by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and hosts several medium to large enterprises.
Additionally, the Qianlishan Industrial Park, situated within the Haibowan District, is home to multiple enterprises related to coal chemical industries, including Uhuai Yuantong Coal Chemical Co., Ltd., which specializes in hazardous chemical production, coal sales, and coking operations.
The events of November 11 have stirred significant public concern, calling into question the transparency and communication from local authorities regarding safety protocols and emergency responses in industrial zones.