Leaking Nerve Gas Rocket Isolated

Sat., Nov. 29, 1997

Associated Press

A leaking nerve gas rocket has been placed inside a protective metal container and moved to an isolated storage area at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, the U.S. Army reported.

Vapor from the deadly nerve gas GB, also known as Sarin, was detected Monday at a low level inside a concrete igloo where the leaking M55 rocket was stored along with other munitions, said depot spokesman Jim Hackett.

A specially trained crew on Tuesday secured the leaking container. It will be monitored 24 hours a day.

The Army stores about 7.2 million pounds of GB, mustard gas and the nerve agent VX in concrete igloos in the high-security “K-Block area” of the depot, which is about 11 miles west of Hermiston.

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