Several riders hospitalised with chemical burns after enduro event in Liepāja

An enduro competition took place last weekend in Liepāja, Latvia, on the grounds of the former Liepājas Metalurgs steelworks. Enduro is an off-road motorcycle sport in which riders cover natural or unprepared terrain. After the event, several participants ended up in hospital with chemical burns.

To establish what caused the riders' health problems, the State Environmental Service, the Latvian body that monitors environmental conditions and checks for possible pollution, has carried out an investigation at the venue. The news was reported by the portal TVNET+.

What is known so far

The available information is limited. It is known that the event was held on a former industrial site, that several participants sought medical care afterwards, and that their diagnosis involved chemical burns. It is also known that the Environmental Service worked at the location.

It has not been made public how many people were affected, how serious their condition is, or which substance or factor caused the burns. No results of the investigation have been reported either. For now it is unclear whether the cause lies in the track surface, the soil, the air or another source.

What comes next

The findings of the Environmental Service's investigation are likely to help determine whether harmful substances were present on the site and whether the track was safe for holding a competition. Until then, the question of what caused the burns remains open.