Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Hungary toxic sludge heading towards the Danube | World news | The Guardian

Hungary toxic sludge heading towards the Danube | World news | The Guardian

Rivers and lakes in 12 European countries are in danger of being contaminated as toxic sludge from a factory in Hungary heads towards the Danube, EU officials said today.

"This is a serious environmental problem," said Joe Hennon, a spokesman for the EU. "We are concerned, not just for the environment in Hungary, but this could potentially cross borders."

Emergency workers have poured 1,000 tonnes of plaster into the Marcal river to try to bind the sludge that burst from a waste reservoir and keep it from flowing on to the Danube, 45 miles away.

At 1,770 miles (2,850km), the Danube is Europe's second longest river, and it is rich in wildlife. South of Hungary, it flows through Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova before reaching the Black Sea

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