On Monday morning, the ArcelorMittal production site in Differdange was affected by toxic fumes.
Although the heightened sense of security was relaxed by mid-afternoon, the site was evacuated with sirens sounding shortly after 08:30 this morning. A number of employees had complained of respiratory problems and skin irritations in the early morning which led to the site being evacuated and a decontamination unit from the emergency services and Luxembourg army being deployed. A total of 63 employees (not 46 as originally quoted) were treated to decontamination, including three workers directly affected. The medical diagnosis reported was described as "very minor injuries".
The siren was not only for the site itself but also for the surrounding towns of Differdange, Niederkorn and Oberkorn, where residents were informed to keep windows closed; the precaution was lifted early afternoon and a statement was released confirming that there was no threat to public health. Children had been kept in schools until the precautions were lifted, and rail traffic between Esch-sur-Alzette and Pétange had also been suspended for a period.
Luxembourg's Minister of the Interior, Dan Kersch, arrived at the scene and held a press conference at lunchtime and a Crisis Committee at 18:00. It transpired that the alert was triggered by two scrap metal containers which had been at the site for a week, originating from Germany, containing 100 tonnes of materials. Analyses were ordered on the contents which were quarantined; so far, no toxic leak could be found. The Luxembourg government also stopped the transport of another 4 containers of scrap metal from the same German provider, to Luxembourg.
An emergency telephone number has been set up for members of the public requesting information: 8002-8080.
