Nitric acid spill prompts major emergency response in Wallern

A nitric acid leak at a business in Wallern prompted a major emergency response on Thursday, ORF reported. Workers diluted the acid before firefighters arrived, preventing a threat to people or the environment.

The leak occurred in the afternoon inside a technical hall at a newly built greenhouse. A faulty connection nozzle allowed 500 litres of 38 per cent nitric acid to escape. The initial alert reported that 2,700 litres had leaked.

Fire brigades from Wallern, Tadten and Pamhagen were called out, along with hazardous-materials units from Eisenstadt and Neusiedl am See. A drone unit from Rust was also alerted but was not needed. Responders monitored the pH level where the acid had escaped and arranged for contaminated sand to be removed.

No one was injured, and firefighters reported no danger to employees, nearby residents or the environment. Around 70 firefighters and 15 vehicles, as well as police and the Samaritan Association, took part in the operation. Crews left after about four hours.