Accidental mixing of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid caused an explosion in a Dutch dairy factory
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BORCULO, NETHERLANDS — July 5, 2025 A late-night explosion at the Friesland Campina dairy factory in Borculo sent a towering orange toxic cloud into the sky, triggering emergency alerts and evacuations across the Gelderland region.
Though no injuries were reported, the incident has raised serious questions about chemical safety protocols and industrial oversight.
According to Dutch authorities, the explosion occurred when nitric acid and hydrochloric acid—both corrosive cleaning agents—accidentally mixed inside a truck parked on the factory grounds. The resulting chemical reaction produced a visible orange vapor cloud, prompting the Veiligheidsregio Noord- en Oost-Gelderland to issue an NL-Alert, urging nearby residents to shut windows, doors, and ventilation systems4.
Eyewitnesses described a loud blast and a silo launched into the air, landing in a nearby field. “We saw orange smoke, then a huge explosion,” said one local resident. “The silo flew like a rocket.”
Emergency services quickly evacuated the plant, cordoned off the area, and conducted air quality tests. The fire brigade confirmed that the cloud contained toxic substances capable of irritating skin and airways. Fortunately, the chemicals dispersed into the atmosphere without settling on the ground, and by 1 a.m., the cloud had evaporated.
Mayor Joost van Oostrum of Berkelland assured the public that the situation was “fully under control” and emphasized that there was no indication of foul play2. However, the police have launched a formal investigation, treating the site as a crime scene to determine whether the incident was caused by human error or deliberate tampering.
The acids involved—salpeterzuur (nitric acid) and zoutzuur (hydrochloric acid)—are commonly used to clean industrial equipment but can cause severe burns and respiratory damage if mishandled.
Local media, including NOS, Nieuwe Oogst, and De Gelderlander, have reported widespread concern among residents, especially given the proximity of homes to the factory. The incident has reignited calls for stricter chemical handling regulations and improved emergency preparedness in industrial zones.
As FrieslandCampina and municipal officials prepare for a post-incident review, the community of Borculo is left grappling with the shock of a near-disaster—and the lingering question of how such a volatile mix occurred in the first place.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License
a photo of the new new dairy-plant with large milk silo at the factory in Beilen; Midden Drenthe - a characteristic photo for modern agriculture in the Netherlands, Fons Heijnsbroek, May 2012
Date: 21 May 2012, 14:44:54
Author Fons Heijnsbroek
Camera location
52° 51′ 19.26″ N, 6° 31′ 14.18″ E 
View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap
Sources
- NL Times – "Explosion and Toxic Gas Cloud Erupt at FrieslandCampina Factory in Borculo" (English)
- NOS – "Gifwolk en explosie bij fabriek Borculo, politie stelt onderzoek in" (Dutch)
- Nieuwe Oogst – "Gevaarlijke stof vrijgekomen bij FrieslandCampina Borculo" (Dutch)
- ISSSource – "Explosion Leads to Toxic Gas Cloud" (English)
- Hart van Nederland – "Lucht boven Borculo kleurt oranje door gevaarlijke stof" (Dutch)
- Vee en Gewas – "Situatie onder controle na explosie bij FrieslandCampina in Borculo" (Dutch)
- De Gelderlander – "Ongeval met gevaarlijke stoffen bij Campina-fabriek Borculo" (Dutch)