Bouquet of roses containing mercury: Ukrainian woman hospitalized in Germany

In the German town of Neustadt-Glewe, a 28-year-old Ukrainian woman was hospitalized after feeling severe dizziness and nausea following the unwrapping of a gift bouquet. The publication Ukrainian News, citing German media, reports that the woman suffered mercury poisoning.

The woman’s name is Olena. She is a refugee from Odesa and works as a nail technician. Her husband ordered a birthday gift from an online store — a heart-shaped arrangement of 20 white and 81 red roses.

The Ukrainian woman opened the package in the hallway of her apartment building. A silvery liquid began leaking from the packaging, after which the woman almost immediately felt ill. Olena’s mother said that one of the neighbors had noticed the package leaking already during delivery.

Olena and her friend, who was nearby at the time of the incident, were taken to a clinic in Rostock. According to media reports, laboratory tests confirmed the presence of mercury.

While at the hospital, the Ukrainian woman wrote to her clients on Instagram that because of the incident she had to cancel scheduled appointments.

Previously the family had repeatedly bought flowers from the same seller, but there had been no similar problems. Olena herself does not consider the florist responsible for what happened.

“The seller is shocked, he is a good person. I hope the police will find out what happened as soon as possible,” — said Olena.

The German police are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Among the theories being examined by law enforcement are a possible attempted murder and illegal handling of hazardous substances.