An unusual incident occurred on Friday at Düsseldorf Airport. A 52-year-old German citizen arrived from the Greek island of Kos, where she had been on vacation. When the woman put on her jacket, a scorpion hidden in it stung her. This was reported by the German newspaper Bild. After the sting, the tourist required medical assistance. A paramedic team transported her to the hospital. On the way, the woman complained of severe pain and compared the sensation to that of a wasp sting. After a consultation, the doctors decided to transfer the patient to a university clinic for further treatment. There is currently no information on the woman's condition. The scorpion itself was also found. To capture it, specialists called in a reptile expert. After that, the animal was handed over to a nearby reptile care center. It is a five-striped scorpion—a species that inhabits North Africa and the Middle East. These scorpions prefer desert areas, reach about 10 centimeters in length, and are primarily nocturnal. During the day, they hide in burrows or under rocks. The venom of the five-striped scorpion poses the greatest danger to children, the elderly, and people with weakened health. For healthy adults, the likelihood of a fatal outcome after a sting is considered low. The unusual story at Düsseldorf Airport serves as a reminder that after traveling to exotic and warm regions, it is important to carefully check luggage and clothing. A scorpion hiding in a jacket can turn a return home from vacation into an emergency trip to the hospital.
