An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation has established that yesterday's ammonia leak that affected workers at the Merlus factory in Walvis Bay originated from a nearby vessel that was undergoing maintenance.

The gas leak was carried by the wind to the Merlus factory, where employees who were on a tea break in the canteen and dressing rooms were affected and ran short of breath, fainted, and vomited.

The workers initially blamed their employer, Merlus, for the leak, but upon inspection, it was established that it came from the Royal Crab vessel, owned by Atlantic Royal Fishing.

This information was confirmed by the acting Executive Director in the Ministry of Labour, David Iigonda.

The ministry dispatched a team to investigate the ammonia leak that affected 25 employees of the Merlus factory.

Iigonda said that the affected employees were taken for medical observation. 

The majority have been discharged from the hospital, and seven are still there for observation and are expected to be released at any time.

He explained that the responsible vessel had a malfunction in the pipes carrying ammonia that is used for refrigeration on the ship.

Technicians drained the ammonia into the sea and opened the valves thinking that the entire ammonia was released.

However, there was still ammonia in the pipes that was carried by wind to the Merlus factory.

Iigonda said that Merlus management has committed to sending back their employees for further medical observation and treatment if they still exhibit signs of ammonia inhalation.

The Ministry of Labour is continuing its investigation and is talking to both Merlus and the vessel's owners before it releases its final report.

Meanwhile, employees of Merlus are back to work after refusing to enter the factory yesterday (Wednesday).