French chemical leak prompts calls to emergency services as 'le pong' wafts over UK

The factory in Rouen where the gas originated Credit: EBU

A foul-smelling cloud of gas which wafted over to parts of the south east from a chemical factory in France prompted calls to emergency services.

The gas mercaptan was accidentally released from a factory in the northern city of Rouen travelled across the English Channel early this morning.

People in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and parts of London reported the unpleasant aroma but emergency services said the gas was harmless and presented no danger to the public.

  • Sussex Police said they had received more than 25 calls by 9.15am

  • Surrey had 15 calls by 11.30am

  • Kent Police reportedly had a large number of calls

Mercaptan is added to natural gas so that it can be smelled and so alert people to gas leaks, among other uses.

ITV News reporter Damon Green on what became known as 'le pong':

Across the south of England emergency services took to Twitter to reassure people that the gas posed no safety risk:

Later in the day the smell was reported to have reached as far west as Dorset.

Twitter was full of people talking about the strange smell: