Toxic red sludge flood an ‘ecological disaster’

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.

The toll rose to four dead, six missing and at least 120 people injured after a reservoir failed on Monday at the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant in Ajka, a town 160km southwest of the capital Budapest.

Several hundred tonnes of plaster were being poured into the Marcal River to bind the toxic sludge and prevent it from flowing on, the National Disaster Management Directorate said.