According to an analysis conducted by the U.S. Army based in Ansbach, the chemical Phoron was confirmed to be responsible for the incident at the DHL logistics hub in the Fürth district. Following the exposure, 35 employees reported symptoms including skin irritation and itching. Fifteen of them were taken to a hospital as a precaution. Most displayed skin-related symptoms, while four also experienced respiratory issues and eye irritation. All those hospitalized were discharged later the same day.
Police officials have stated that there is currently no evidence pointing to deliberate or terrorist intent. Based on current findings, it appears unlikely that the substance was sent with the intention of causing harm. Investigators suspect that the solvent may have been used at another, still unidentified location, and inadvertently transferred to the DHL center. The chemical was found to have contaminated several packages, which likely caused the reactions among staff members who handled them.
Fire department experts confirmed that Phoron, a crystalline solvent, matches the symptoms reported by those affected—primarily irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
Immediately following the discovery, the facility was evacuated. Approximately 36 workers passed through a decontamination process to remove any chemical residue from their bodies and clothing. Specialized units from the fire department and police, equipped with protective suits, conducted a thorough sweep of the premises to check for further contamination or the presence of other hazardous materials.
DHL and local authorities emphasized that there was no danger to the surrounding population at any point during the incident.
The police continue to investigate how Phoron came into contact with packages and entered the sorting center. The case remains open as officials work to identify the source and chain of contamination.
(Source: dpa)
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