The German city of Krefeld was on high alert after a tanker carrying dangerous nitric acid overturned and leaked, prompting authorities to close schools and warn residents of the accident area of potential health risks.
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Authorities announced the closure of several schools and nurseries throughout Friday, along with a partial suspension of train traffic in the area, while the truck driver was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred overnight on Highway 57, when a truck loaded with nitric acid overturned and the chemical began to leak, according to a spokesman for the fire department.
Through the German alert app "NINA", authorities issued the highest level of warning, describing the situation as "extremely dangerous," and calling on residents in the affected areas to stay inside buildings, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Nitric acid is widely used in the chemical industry, particularly in the production of fertilizers and explosives, but its uncontrolled leakage can pose a significant health risk.
Around 150 emergency response teams are involved in containing the leak and removing the acid from the truck, supported by specialized hazardous materials units, while authorities have imposed a security cordon extending for about one kilometer around the site of the incident.
