Mercury contamination in flower delivery hospitalizes two women in Germany

A flower delivery in Neustadt-Glewe, Germany, triggered a major hazardous materials response after two women were hospitalized following exposure to a silvery liquid. The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon when a woman and a friend opened a large bouquet of roses that appeared to be contaminated with mercury.

Upon opening the package, the women experienced immediate symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and headaches. They were subsequently treated in a hospital and have since been discharged. The contamination was severe enough to cause a liquid to drip from the packaging during delivery, prompting the Rostock Police Headquarters to evacuate the affected apartment building and its stairwell.

Specialized fire department units from Hamburg were deployed to determine the extent of the contamination. While the exact motives and circumstances remain unclear, reports suggest the bouquet was ordered via TikTok following a family dispute. The florist involved has been described as being in shock, and authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of the mercury contamination.