Police have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected work environment crime at SSAB's construction site in Luleå, Sweden, after approximately 20 workers from subcontractors developed symptoms and seven required medical care. The incidents occurred during ground work for SSAB's new Mini Mill steel plant.
According to SVT Nyheter, test results have shown elevated levels of toxic gas in machinery at the construction site, though the exact cause of the workers' symptoms remains unknown. Police investigation leader Patrik Åström stated that forensic experts were unable to conduct a technical investigation of the site due to safety concerns about potentially dangerous substances in the ground.
a technical examination of the suspected crime scene could not be conducted due to risks, as forensic experts deemed it potentially dangerous with unclear substances
"Forensic experts assessed that it might be dangerous and there were uncertainties about whether the substances are so dangerous that they themselves could become ill," Åström told SVT.
The Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket) has been notified and is scheduled to conduct an inspection at the SSAB site on April 9. SSAB has reportedly completely stopped work at the construction site following the incidents. The police investigation focuses on suspected work environment crime through causing illness, though no one has been formally suspected of any crime at this time.