Swiss town is covered in CHOCOLATE after malfunction at Lindt factory

  • A Swiss town was left covered in fragments of cocoa powder   
  • Malfunction of the ventilation system at a Lindt factory in the town of Olten
  • Combined with strong winds, it left cocao nibs scattered around factory vicinity 

A Swiss town was left covered in fragments of chocolate after a malfunction at a Lindt factory.  

Residents got a bit of a shock when it started snowing particles of a fine cocoa powder after the ventilation system at a chocolate factory malfunctioned.

The Lindt & Spruengli company confirmed local reports Tuesday that there was a minor defect in the cooling ventilation for a line for roasted 'cocoa nibs' in its factory in Olten, between Zurich and Basel.

Residents of a Swiss town got a bit of a shock when it started snowing particles of fine cocoa powder after the ventilation system at a chocolate factory malfunctioned. Above, cocoa powder scattered on car roof

Residents of a Swiss town got a bit of a shock when it started snowing particles of fine cocoa powder after the ventilation system at a chocolate factory malfunctioned. Above, cocoa powder scattered on car roof 

The Lindt & Spruengli company confirmed local reports Tuesday that there was a minor defect in the cooling ventilation for a line for roasted 'cocoa nibs'. Above, the powder is seen on a car windscreen

The Lindt & Spruengli company confirmed local reports Tuesday that there was a minor defect in the cooling ventilation for a line for roasted 'cocoa nibs'. Above, the powder is seen on a car windscreen

Combined with strong winds on Friday morning, the powder spread around the immediate vicinity of the factory. Above, coco powder is seen on car roof

Combined with strong winds on Friday morning, the powder spread around the immediate vicinity of the factory. Above, coco powder is seen on car roof 

The nibs, fragments of crushed cocoa beans, are the basis of chocolate.

Combined with strong winds on Friday morning, the powder spread around the immediate vicinity of the factory, leaving a fine cocoa dusting.

The company says one car was lightly coated, and that it has offered to pay for any cleaning needed - but hasn't yet been taken up on the offer.

The rain of cocoa came from  their factory in Olten, Switzerland (pictured)

The rain of cocoa came from  their factory in Olten, Switzerland (pictured)

Olten  is nestled in the Alps about 37 miles west of major city Zurich. (Stock image of Olten)

Olten  is nestled in the Alps about 37 miles west of major city Zurich. (Stock image of Olten)

Factory production was able to continue as normal and the company says the particles were completely harmless to people or the environment.

The ventilation system has now been repaired.

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