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Hungary says sees emergency dam finished by tomorrow
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2010, Monday
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HUNGARY said it hopes to finish building an emergency dam by tomorrow to hold back a reservoir of toxic sludge after a breach of the original retaining wall caused a deadly flood of industrial waste.
About one million cubic meters of red mud, a by-product of alumina production, leaked out of an alumina plant reservoir into villages and waterways in western Hungary last Monday, killing seven people, injuring 123 and fouling rivers including a local branch of the Danube.
"We hope to have the dam finished by Tuesday," Peter Szijjarto, the prime minister's spokesman told private broadcaster TV2 today.
"We have 4,000 people and 300 machines working at the scene so we are doing our utmost to prevent another tragedy."
One week into the disaster, one person was still missing.
Tibor Dobson, a spokesman for disaster crews, said evacuated residents of the nearby village of Kolontar must remain in emergency accommodation.
"They will not be able to return to their homes today as even though the construction (of the dam) is progressing well, it is roughly 70 percent complete," Dobson told TV2.
Kolontar was evacuated on Saturday after cracks appeared in the northern wall of the reservoir, threatening a second spill of the toxic red sludge, which swept through neighboring areas a week ago.
Dobson said today the latest checks performed on the damaged northern wall of the sludge reservoir showed no further disturbance.
A team of EU environment experts was due to arrive in Hungary on Monday to provide authorities assistance in dealing with the disaster.
The nearby town of Devecser, home to 5,400 people, remains on alert. The military has sent more than 300 soldiers and 127 transport vehicles into the town and five trains have been put on standby in case it has to be evacuated.
The government held an extraordinary meeting yesterday to assess the aftermath of the disaster. Prime Minister Viktor Orban will inform lawmakers of the government's plans in parliament later on Monday, local media reported.
Citing a lawmaker of the ruling Fidesz party, the daily Nepszabadsag reported on Monday that the idea of nationalizing the alumina factory of MAL Zrt, which owns the damaged reservoir, could also emerge during discussions.
About one million cubic meters of red mud, a by-product of alumina production, leaked out of an alumina plant reservoir into villages and waterways in western Hungary last Monday, killing seven people, injuring 123 and fouling rivers including a local branch of the Danube.
"We hope to have the dam finished by Tuesday," Peter Szijjarto, the prime minister's spokesman told private broadcaster TV2 today.
"We have 4,000 people and 300 machines working at the scene so we are doing our utmost to prevent another tragedy."
One week into the disaster, one person was still missing.
Tibor Dobson, a spokesman for disaster crews, said evacuated residents of the nearby village of Kolontar must remain in emergency accommodation.
"They will not be able to return to their homes today as even though the construction (of the dam) is progressing well, it is roughly 70 percent complete," Dobson told TV2.
Kolontar was evacuated on Saturday after cracks appeared in the northern wall of the reservoir, threatening a second spill of the toxic red sludge, which swept through neighboring areas a week ago.
Dobson said today the latest checks performed on the damaged northern wall of the sludge reservoir showed no further disturbance.
A team of EU environment experts was due to arrive in Hungary on Monday to provide authorities assistance in dealing with the disaster.
The nearby town of Devecser, home to 5,400 people, remains on alert. The military has sent more than 300 soldiers and 127 transport vehicles into the town and five trains have been put on standby in case it has to be evacuated.
The government held an extraordinary meeting yesterday to assess the aftermath of the disaster. Prime Minister Viktor Orban will inform lawmakers of the government's plans in parliament later on Monday, local media reported.
Citing a lawmaker of the ruling Fidesz party, the daily Nepszabadsag reported on Monday that the idea of nationalizing the alumina factory of MAL Zrt, which owns the damaged reservoir, could also emerge during discussions.
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