An ammonia gas leak at the JBS Food abattoir in Riverview, Ipswich, triggered the evacuation of nearly 900 workers, with the process continuing for several hours.

Following neutralisation, the factory was ventilated and demobilised, and authorities noted ongoing ventilation and containment of the area.

Five people remained in stable condition in hospital after respiratory assessments; two were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and three to Ipswich Hospital, while 17 others were evaluated for respiratory issues.

In total, 17 people underwent medical assessments for respiratory symptoms, with all involved in stable condition at the hospitals.

JBS Aussie Beef, owner of the Dinmore Meatworks, was contacted for comment.

Firefighters in hazmat gear evacuated staff, used breathing apparatus, and spent about six hours neutralising the leak with citric acid.

Emergency services began around 12:30 a.m. local time, with six fire crews and scientific officers working for roughly six hours to neutralise the ammonia leak using citric acid.

The leak flooded the building and, by around 7:30 a.m., ventilation was underway as the facility remained shut down.

Ammonia is a hazardous, colorless gas that can irritate skin and damage lungs and eyes/throat, posing potentially fatal risks if not addressed.

As a colorless, strong-smelling toxic gas used in cleaners and industrial processes, ammonia can cause severe irritation or burns when inhaled.

The incident at the Dinmore Meatworks in Riverview, about 30 kilometres southwest of Brisbane, prompted an overnight emergency response and the evacuation of nearly 900 workers.