A ship's crew scrambled to escape a vessel when a shipment of liquid chlorine began to leak inside.

The seamen were transporting a shipment of liquid chlorine, but knocked down one of the cylinders, spilling the toxic chemical inside the MV Filipinas Surigao del Norte docked at a pier in Cebu province on October 7.

Footage shows locals bringing a rescue boat closer as the workers battled to escape the noxious fumes spreading throughout the vessel. Other employees trapped near the ship's kitchen area had squeezed themselves through windows instead.

The Cebu City Fire Office said decontamination procedures were carried out, and the vessel was allowed to leave on its scheduled trip the same day.

Authorities said 38 crew members had been onboard the ship during the leak. Eleven were treated for chemical exposure and breathing difficulties, with four of them needing urgent medical attention.

Coast Guard Station Central Cebu Commander Mark Larsen Mariano said: 'They had a liquid chlorine leak. While loading the cylinder tanks onto the ship, one of the containers was knocked down by a forklift and its valve was opened.

'Based on initial assessment by the Marine Environmental Protection Unit after decontamination, the threat of liquid chloride wasn't severe, so it was allowed to embark on its route as planned.'

The Coast Guard said it was investigating if the ship operator has the proper permits to transport chemicals, but assured the public the leak has been properly contained.

Liquid chlorine is primarily used for water disinfection, sanitation, and bleaching in various industrial and household applications.