Red aluminum sludge flood kills four in Hungary

Environment News Service: Four people have died, including a three-month baby, after the waste reservoir of an aluminum plant burst Monday afternoon in western Hungary, flooding the village of Kolontar with red chemical sludge. Kolontar Mayor Karoly Tily told the state newswire MTI that all four victims were Kolontar residents and rescue workers are still searching for another four people who are reported missing.

Between 80 and 90 people have been taken to hospital with chemical burns to skin and eyes, including six who were seriously injured. The Hungarian National Disaster Management Directorate said the caustic sludge, a waste product in aluminum production, contains heavy metals and is toxic if ingested.

The incident occurred at the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant owned by MAL Magyar Aluminium in the town of Ajka, 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of the capital, Budapest. At least 600,000 cubic meters (yards) of the aluminum sludge spilled out when the waste impoundment broke. The cause of the incident is still unknown….

The coat of arms of Kolontar