In a workplace accident at a leather factory and pelt tannery in Runkel, central Hesse, three workers died and two others suffered life-threatening injuries. The victims were found in a clarification pit, possibly due to carbon monoxide poisoning. More than 150 emergency responders were deployed, with no danger to the public.
An employee of the company discovered around 4:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon three dead and two severely injured workers in the clarification pit of the leather factory in Runkel near Limburg an der Lahn, as René Schultheis, spokesperson for hazard defense in the Limburg-Weilburg district and district fire chief, reported.
Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) said at the scene that carbon monoxide poisoning during descent into the pit was possible. The two injured were flown to hospitals by rescue helicopters. About 150 responders from police, fire department, and hazard defense were deployed, many in protective suits and breathing apparatus; 45 to 50 were decontaminated.
No hazardous substances escaped, so there is no danger to the population, Schultheis assured. Poseck expressed shock: «I have not experienced an incident with three deaths in my tenure; this makes the situation particularly sad.» The operation was «very challenging.»
Runkel's mayor Antje Hachmann was horrified: «We are not a big town and people know each other here.» She had to take a breath before getting out of the car, as the situation was worse than expected. Police are investigating the exact cause.
