Five confirmed dead after Hungary toxic sludge spill

Five people are now reported to have died as a result of Hungary's toxic sludge spill.

A chemical reservoir burst earlier this week, swamping villages and leaking into the River Danube.

Several neighbouring countries have been preparing emergency plans, but officials say pollution levels in the water have declined.

Hungary's environment secretary Dr Zoltan Illes said there was a still a threat from the material, if the soil contaminated with it became airborne.

He said the soil was contaminated with cancer-causing heavy metals over an 800-hectare area.