HUNGARY’S top investigative agency opened a criminal probe into the toxic sludge flood yesterday while the European Union and environmental groups warned the disaster could spread down the Danube and have long-term consequences for several nations.

Emergency workers and construction crews in Hungary were today struggling to clear roads and homes hit by a spill of toxic red sludge.

HUNGARY declared a state of emergency in three counties yesterday after a flood of toxic red sludge from an alumina plant engulfed several towns and burned people through their clothes. One official called it “an ecological disaster” that may threaten the Danube and other key rivers.

Hungary declared a state of emergency in three counties today after a flood of toxic red sludge from a chemical plant engulfed several towns.