Hundreds evacuated and dozens hospitalized after an ammonia gas leak in Oklahoma

People in immediate area were in respiratory distress after a tanker truck spewed a plume of anhydrous ammonia gas

Hundreds of people were evacuated from a city in Oklahoma and others were told to shelter in place after a tanker truck that was leaking in a hotel parking lot spewed a plume of anhydrous ammonia gas, authorities said Thursday.

The gas release happened shortly before 10pm on Wednesday. People in the immediate area were in respiratory distress and at least 36 people were taken to a local hospital, city officials said at a news conference.