On Monday, dozens of firefighters in full-body protective suits had to intervene because containers with dangerous goods had leaked at a company in Hohenems (Vorarlberg). It turned out that this substance was watermelon concentrate. A solution used in the food industry.
On Monday morning, pallets with jerry cans containing hazardous substances were damaged on a company site in Hohenems when unloading a container. The dangerous goods ran out. A truck driver was immediately to safety and alerted the fire brigade. The Floriani disciples arrived in full-body protective suits, took the wrecked jerry cans outside and cleaned them with a high-pressure hose. The area was extensively cordoned off.
Even an explosion could not be ruled out
However, the substance was not a corrosive chemical, as one would have believed, but watermelon concentrate, which is used, for example, in the production of beverages. It is difficult for laymen to imagine that watermelon concentrate is a dangerous good. “However, alcohol is mixed into this concentrate — and that makes the compound flammable,” says Dr. Eugen Anwander of the Vorarlberg state government office explained. Even the risk of an explosion cannot be ruled out under certain circumstances, such as on Monday morning in Hohenems.
“The situation on Monday was not really dangerous,” Anwander said. The ambient temperature was not too high and the leaked product was not too dangerous either. “Of course it’s a bit strange that a food can become a dangerous good. But the effort was justified, because you only know afterwards how great the danger is.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
