Twelve taken to hospitals after forklift battery triggers haz-mat response

Twelve people were hospitalized Tuesday morning after a hazardous substance was released at a technical company, Van der Sluis, on Kamperzeedijk in Genemuiden, in the Dutch province of Overijssel. The incident occurred when a forklift battery “dried out” and emitted toxic gas at around 9:45 a.m.

The release happened in a prefab production area where housing components are made. According to the safety region, the battery overheated or was overcharged, causing its liquid to evaporate and release toxic sulfur dioxide gas, which “smells like rotten eggs."

Emergency services escalated the response under GRIP-1, a Dutch emergency coordination level in which multiple agencies work together. Authorities also activated a Code 10 response involving 10 ambulances and a mobile medical team. A trauma helicopter was also dispatched but later stood down.

In total, 11 employees were transported to hospitals for further examination, along with one firefighter who also developed symptoms, bringing the total to 12 hospitalized people. The entire building was evacuated, and the forklift was removed and secured.

Authorities assured that the air outside the facility was safe. Inside, internal measurements are being conducted, though the exact substance levels in the air are still unknown.