Hydrochloric acid leak in Liestal prompts toxic vapour warning near German border

The leak

About 1,000 litres of 37% hydrochloric acid ran out of a container at the Oristal industrial area in Liestal, in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, on Tuesday, 10 November. The liquid came from the premises of the company Dragon Pharma, and it began forming a vapour cloud, according to the Alertswiss warning service. The affected area lies about seven kilometres as the crow flies south of the German border, close to Basel.

Warnings to residents

Through its warning app, Alertswiss said that the release of toxic substances had to be reckoned with. Residents were asked to close their windows and doors and to switch off ventilation and air conditioning. The affected area was to be avoided. A spokesperson for the security directorate in Liestal confirmed the warning to dpa.

Update by Tuesday afternoon

By Tuesday afternoon, Alertswiss reported that there was no longer any acute danger and that only an odour nuisance was possible. The recommendation to keep windows and doors shut and ventilation switched off remained in place. The cantonal police told Keystone-SDA that no one had been injured so far.