Havariekommando conducts chemical accident drill in Wadden Sea

Emergency responders conducted a large-scale training exercise named ‘Wattsturm 2026’ along the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea coast near the coastal town of Norden. The drill, organized by the Havariekommando, involved more than 100 personnel practicing responses to a potential chemical accident.

The scenario simulated a collision between two cargo ships, resulting in containers filled with hazardous materials being lost overboard. The exercise focused on the challenges of recovering dangerous goods that may wash ashore or become trapped in the tidal flats (Watt) due to wind, weather, and high tide.

Participants utilized specialized equipment, including chemical protection suits and heavy, all-terrain tracked vehicles, to navigate the difficult terrain. Sebastian Kroll, the exercise leader for the Havariekommando, noted that the primary challenge is identifying the nature of the washed-up substances and the specific risks they pose, as the unique conditions of the tidal flats differ significantly from land-based operations.