Large-scale operation due to the escape of dangerous goods in the port of Mannheim – SWR Aktuell

Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon in the Mannheim harbor, according to the police, a dangerous liquid leaked inside a factory site on Werfthallenstraße. The fire brigade is in action with a large contingent. A 150-meter-high cloud of white smoke or steam that had developed and stood over the Mannheim harbor has since receded as a result of the firefighting operation. Traffic in downtown Mannheim has partially come to a standstill.

Leaked liquid apparently explosive

The area around the commercial port and the Kurt Schumacher Bridge over the Rhine were closed. “The leaked liquid is apparently explosive after the first assessment, but also highly corrosive to the mucous membranes,” explained Norbert Schätzle from the Mannheim police to the SWR. We now know what kind of hazardous substance it is. But it is unclear whether the entire affected container was loaded with it or whether other substances were also stored there. “Accordingly, a radius has now been successively drawn around the scene of the accident.” This is currently 1,300 meters.

16 police officers injured

Initially, there was talk of a slightly injured person. In the evening, the police then announced that a total of 16 police officers were injured in the operation. This would involve irritation of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Two officers are being treated at the hospital. They are among the people who were first on the scene.

Mannheim and Ludwigshafen are affected to a large extent. Witnesses report a “disgusting sulphurous” smell. The water police are also on site and a helicopter is in action.

Residents in Jungbusch and Neckarstadt should close doors and windows

A siren alarm was triggered in downtown Mannheim. “For us and for the population, of course, this also means keeping windows and doors closed,” said Norbert Schätzle from the Mannheim police. This mainly affects the Mannheim-Jungbusch and Mannheim-Neckarstadt areas. People who are in the vicinity of the incident should leave the area. The problem is probably that the wind changes more often. In addition, there may be disruptions in rail traffic. The Mannheim fire brigade is currently busy cooling down the hazardous goods container, Schätzle continued. “In the medium term, they want to avert the risk of further material escaping.”

Christian Specht (CDU), mayor of Mannheim, told SWR: “We established five measuring points in the city within two hours. They didn’t work.” Thus, a larger evacuation is not necessary, but the city and fire brigade hope that the danger can be contained on site.

Traffic in the city center comes to a standstill

The city of Mannheim issued a warning about “Katwarn”. There is talk of a pollution accident. The transport company rnv pointed out that several local transport lines were affected. In addition, the city of Mannheim asks road users in a press release to avoid the city area. All access roads are currently closed.

Meanwhile, the free open-air cinema event planned for Wednesday evening in the ALTER cultural center at Alter Messplatz has been canceled and postponed to next Monday because of the hazardous goods accident.