Twenty-six workers were overcome by a mystery gas at Port Kembla on Saturday night.
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The workers were unloading the car carrier Wisteria Ace shortly after 11.15pm when they began to succumb to the gas.
Five of the workers needed to be taken to hospital but have since been released.
It is understood all of those affected by the gas were harbour workers – none of the ship’s crew were affected.
The Port Kembla harbour master set up an exclusion zone around the Wisteria Ace – which sails under a Liberian flag – but work was allowed to continue in other areas of the port.
Fire and Rescue NSW hazmat crews were called in and boarded the ship to take atmospheric readings but could not detect any gas.
It is believed that by this time the gas had dissipated.
The hazmat crew declared the vessel safe at 2am and the exclusion zone was lifted.
The port was operating as normal on Sunday.
The Wisteria Ace was expected to depart at 6.30am on Monday as planned.
SafeWork NSW is investigating the incident.