Brisbane chemical incident prompts partial evacuation; two hospitalized

Two people were rushed to hospital after a chemical incident in Brisbane's central business district on Monday, authorities said. Emergency services were called at about 11:20 a.m. to reports of a strong chemical smell emanating from a vent inside a building at the corner of Mary and George streets. The odor prompted a partial evacuation of workers inside the building as a safety precaution while responders assessed the scene.

Paramedics treated four people at the scene for symptoms including nausea and light-headedness, with two subsequently transported to St Andrew's Hospital in stable condition. Four fire crews remained on site to conduct chemical testing, which was completed around 2:45 p.m., according to a fire department spokesperson. Officials said the chemical involved was not of concern and that there was no ongoing risk to the public.

Authorities planned to continue monitoring the building and reviewing safety measures, with investigators expected to determine the source of the odor. There was no indication of long-term health effects from this incident, and local health and emergency services coordinated to ensure safety for workers in the area throughout the afternoon.