German Post Office Evacuated Due To Durian Fruit Odor

A German post office had to be evacuated after nasty smell leaked from one of the packages. However, the only danger in the building was the smell of the "king of fruits."

On Saturday (June 20), police officers and firefighters were dispatched to Schweinnfurt in Germany because a suspicious package was leaking a strange smell thought to be some sort of gas. According to German broadcaster Bayerischer Redfunk, 60 postal workers had to be evacuated from the building. Twelve of them had to be treated for nausea, including six who had to be hospitalized.

At the time, over 20 vehicles from the police, fire brigade and even ambulance service were in the premises. However, what was thought to be a dangerous gas or harmful substance turned out to be four Thai durian fruits inside one of the packages.

In the end, the package, which was for a 50-year-old resident from a friend in Nuremberg, was sent to its rightful owner.

Last year, the smell of durian also prompted the evacuation of a library in Canberra, Australia, after reports of a “strong gas.” The smell of durian is so strong and pungent that it is often banned on public transports and in hotels across Asia, with its odor often being compared to rotten meat and dead rats.

However, the Southeast Asian "king of fruits" also has many fans. Those who love it describe it as having a sweet taste and a soft texture similar to cheesecake.

In the United States, Thai durian can be found in many Asian markets, whether in fruit form or as a flavoring in sweets, ice cream and other dishes.

Although it is infamous for its smell, it is also well known for being one of the most nutritious fruits, since it is high in nutrients such as Vitamin C, Thiamine, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Riboflavin and Folate among others. It is also rich in antioxidants including carotenoids and flavonoids.

According to Healthline, studies have suggested durian offers many health benefits. These include reducing cancer risk, preventing heart disease and fighting infection. That said, no human studies have ever been conducted to test these potential health benefits.