The incident occurred on Thursday, February 17, during the late morning hours. Authorities were informed that hazardous materials might be present in an abandoned truck parked by a petrol station in Łąka. Unofficially, there was talk of radioactive materials.
Police and the fire service are at the scene. A specialist group of chemical firefighters from Legnica was also called.
Update 13:51
As we have established, a suspicious chemical substance was found in the truck. Fortunately, reports of radioactive materials were not confirmed. On Friday, February 18, an expert will arrive in Łąka to examine exactly what is inside the vehicle.
Update 17:06
Statement by the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection
The WIOŚ in Wrocław received a report from officers of the National Revenue Administration about a vehicle located in one of the parking areas near Bolesławiec. Because of the unpleasant smell around the vehicle, there was suspicion that hazardous waste was stored in the trailer. The vehicle had been left without a driver, so it was impossible to inspect either the vehicle and its load or any documentation relating to the transported goods. A parking ticket had been paid for the parked vehicle until 21:40 on February 14 of this year. From that moment, the vehicle’s driver was also absent.
Immediately after receiving information about the abandoned transport carrying waste of unknown origin, WIOŚ inspectors went to the vehicle’s location. They took action at the site, where police were already present. The relevant units were then notified, namely the Fire Service and the Crisis Management Center.
The Fire Service determined that there was no radiation hazard. However, because of the distinctive chemical smell coming from the truck, a specialist chemical rescue unit of the Fire Service was called for further investigation. Fire Service officers established a safety zone.
The inspectors conducted a preliminary examination. Further verification and explanatory activities will then be carried out to determine what is in the truck and what the containers and barrels contain.
Beata Merenda, WIOŚ in Wrocław