Accessibility links

Breaking News

Hungary Says Second Spill 'Likely' From Sludge Reservoir


An aerial view shows a toxic red sludge spill from an alumina plant near Ajka, Hungary, on October 7.
An aerial view shows a toxic red sludge spill from an alumina plant near Ajka, Hungary, on October 7.
Hungary says there is growing risk of a new spill of toxic sludge from the damaged reservoir that has already caused the country's worst-ever environmental catastrophe.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban called a second spill "likely" as authorities evacuated the village of Kolontar near the sludge reservoir today.

The new spill comes as another dam threatens to give way at the reservoir of the alumina factory some 160 kilometers southwest of Budapest.

Some 700,000 cubic meters of toxic sludge spilled from the reservoir on October 4, causing the deaths of at least seven people, and reaching the Danube River on October 7.

compiled from agency reports

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG