Residents of Sanikiluaq are shown leaving the Nunavut community as part of an evacuation order following a reported gas leak. Photo: Myna Anna Manuk
The MP for Nunavut is hoping for the “safety and comfort” of people in Sanikiluaq after they were forced to seek higher ground due to a fuel spill.
“I hope the gas leak they experienced forcing them to evacuate is addressed safely,” wrote Lori Idlout (NDP).
“I have contacted the Minister of Northern Affairs and he has provided a brief update. I have reached out to Premier PJ Akeeagok as well.”
Residents were reporting a “big gas leak” in Sanikiluaq, a hamlet in south-central Nunavut, on social media Monday afternoon.
Videos and photos on a number of sites showed people on foot and all-terrain vehicles leaving the community in an orderly fashion as part of what they said was an “evacuation”.
A number of posts say the spill happened at the community’s gas station.
“Big gas tank leaking,” said Ida Kulula in a post on social media. “Pls pray for them.”
Sanikiluaq is an Inuit community of 850 residents. It is the southernmost community in Nunavut, located in the heart of Hudson Bay in the Belcher Islands.
There was no word on where the residents were heading or how long they’d have to stay away. Sanikiluaq is an island.
Myna Anna Manuk posted numerous photos with the caption: “Gas leak at the gas station, everyone in town evacuated.”
APTN News received a statement from the Government of Nunavut late Monday afternoon confirming a gasoline fuel spill occurred at approximately 1 p.m.
“The Petroleum Products Division (of the department of community and government services) was alerted to a gasoline fuel leak with an estimated 5,000 litres of fuel spilled due to tank overfill,” the emailed statement said.
“PPD’s local representatives promptly closed the tank valve to prevent further overfilling.”
The risk to the community is minimal, the statement added.
“The spill occurred within the containment area of the facility, and no fuel has been released outside of this controlled environment. Photoionization Detector readings taken at 3 pm (E.T.) this afternoon could not detect any fumes beyond the containment area, indicating low risk to nearby residents.”
The government said it did not issue any form of evacuation notice.
“Our Operations team has been working with our Store Team, ensuring everyone’s safety,” said Darryl Martin, director of marketing and communications, in an email.
“As of this afternoon, our store is currently closed, and our staff have been temporarily relocated to higher ground.
The government said PPD contractors, the fire department and RCMP were “actively managing” the site. An environmental firm has arrived in the community to “investigate and advance remediation efforts,” it added.
People were advised to stay away and keep their pets clear of the area.
-With files by Creeson Agecoutay
