Police in the Netherlands have launched an investigation after two cleaners became critically unwell on Tuesday following a shift cleaning NS trains. One man has lost his life, while the other is in hospital. 

Two cleaners become critically ill after working at Utrecht Centraal

The two men, who were employed by Vebego, became unwell on Tuesday morning after finishing work at a marshalling yard at the central station in Utrecht, where trains are cleaned. A spokesperson emphasised to NOS that the men did not fall ill during their shift, but afterwards. 

De Telegraaf reports that a colleague noticed that they were unwell and called the emergency services. Both men then lost consciousness before being taken to hospital. On Wednesday evening, one of the men passed away, while the other is still in hospital.

Cause of the illness remains a mystery

Investigations are now underway because it remains a mystery as to what caused the men to become unwell. NOS reports that NS had checked the marshalling yard and found no evidence of any unsafe conditions. 

NS described the news as a “big shock” for the company. “We know that the workplace was safe,” a spokesperson told De Telegraaf. “It is now up to the police to conduct a further investigation.” 

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