Hospital Cases After Toxic Fire In Ukraine Up To 143
July 19, 2007
The train wreck sparked a toxic phosphorus fire (epa)
But officials repeated assurances that there was no widespread danger to local residents after the train derailed in the Lviv region on July 16, sparking a fire and releasing a toxic cloud.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk said on July 18 that the area is safe for inhabitants, and that people in the area can safely breathe the air, drink water from the wells, harvest crops, and swim in the rivers.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, meanwhile, criticized the government of his rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, for allegedly trying to minimize the continuing health threat from the accident.
(Compiled from agency reports)