Four containers fell from the trailer: truck accident turned into a chemical incident
A truck accident in a village near Pagėgiai resulted in the spilling of chemicals, prompting a response from local emergency services.
On February 17, a truck accident occurred in the Mikytai village area, approximately two kilometers southeast of Pagėgiai, Lithuania. The incident involved a cargo truck that was reported to have overturned at an intersection, causing four containers filled with calcium chloride and caustic soda to fall out. Calcium chloride is commonly used as a road de-icing agent, while caustic soda has various industrial applications, including in the production of soap and synthetic silk.
Emergency responders from the Pagėgiai fire and rescue service arrived on the scene shortly after the incident was reported around 12:20 PM. Upon arrival, they found the truck upright, but some of the containers were leaking liquid. Despite efforts to seal the leaks using makeshift tools, the firefighters were unsuccessful. As a precaution, the fire department maintained a presence at the scene until employees from the company that owned the truck arrived to assist in managing the spill.
The situation illustrates the potential hazards associated with transporting chemicals on public roads, emphasizing the need for proper safety measures and prompt response protocols during accidents. Local authorities may need to assess the incident further to ensure public safety and prevent similar occurrences in the future, especially given the hazardous nature of the spilled materials.