Hazardous Truck Spill in Mol Forces Evacuation of 40 Homes

A truck carrying organic peroxide overturned on the Zuiderring (N71) in Mol, Belgium, on Friday morning, prompting the evacuation of approximately 40 to 50 homes as a precautionary measure. The driver escaped unharmed and no injuries were reported, according to VRT NWS.

Context

The accident occurred in the early morning near the intersection with Schooldreef, heading toward Lommel. The truck was carrying two containers classified as ADR hazardous materials — specifically organic peroxide, a substance that can react dangerously at elevated temperatures. With temperatures reaching 28°C on the day of the incident, emergency services took immediate precautions.

Key Developments

According to RTV, the driver managed to free himself from the vehicle after it ended up in the roadside ditch in the early morning. Fire services from Brandweer Zone Kempen arrived promptly and began cooling the containers with water to prevent the organic peroxide from reacting to the heat.

Kristof Geens, spokesperson for Brandweer Zone Kempen, explained the situation: “In two containers there is organic peroxide. That is a substance that is not immediately dangerous, but can react at higher temperatures. Today it is particularly warm, so that is a factor we are monitoring closely. That is why we are cooling the containers with water from the fire department.”

The evacuation perimeter was gradually expanded throughout the morning. Initially, eight homes were evacuated, but the cordon was later extended to include parts of Schooldreef, Heistraat, Moerhoek, and Zwarteschuurstraat, affecting approximately 40 to 50 households. Police teams went door-to-door to notify residents.

A reception center was established at Sunparks Kempense Meren for displaced residents, with transportation provided for those who needed it.

Gemeentelijke basisschool De Zandloper in Mol Rauw closed early in the afternoon as a safety measure, with parents notified via the Smartschool platform. The school implemented additional traffic safety measures around dismissal time.

Analysis & Implications

The incident highlights the particular challenges posed by organic peroxide transport. Unlike many hazardous materials, organic peroxides contain an unstable peroxide bond (-O-O-) that makes them highly sensitive to heat, friction, and shock. They can decompose rapidly and exothermically, potentially causing fires or explosions if not handled correctly.

Geens outlined the careful multi-step process required: “First we need to check the condition of the substances. Then we decide whether the containers need to be transferred, and only then can they be towed.” This manual transfer process, conducted under hot conditions, significantly extended the duration of the operation.

The Zuiderring remained closed in both directions for several hours, including through the evening rush hour. Police set up diversions at the intersection with the N136, and motorists were advised to avoid the area entirely.

Notably, this is not the first serious incident at this location. The Zuiderring in Mol has seen multiple truck accidents in recent years, including a 2019 incident involving toxic substances at the same intersection and a 2024 truck rollover on the same road, raising questions about road safety at this particular stretch.

What’s Next

Emergency services continued working through the day to manually transfer the organic peroxide into other containers before the truck could be towed away. The road was expected to remain closed until all operations were completed and it was deemed safe for traffic to resume. No timeline for full reopening was immediately provided.

Authorities have not yet disclosed what caused the driver to brake or swerve, and investigations into the exact cause of the accident remain ongoing.