Dutch plant evacuated after battery malfunction triggers toxic release

A chemical incident at an industrial site in the Netherlands has left 14 people injured, including a firefighter, authorities said.

The incident occurred on the morning of June 30 at the Van der Sluis facility in the settlement of Kamperzeedijk, where a forklift battery reportedly overheated after being fully discharged, triggering the release of a hazardous substance, Caliber.Az reports, citing Dutch media.

Emergency services said the site was evacuated as a precaution shortly after the incident. Those affected were taken to nearby hospitals after reporting symptoms including breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness and nausea.

Authorities said the situation has since been brought under control and there is no indication of a risk to the wider environment. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact nature of the substance released.

By Aghakazim Guliyev