Hungarian Toxic Waste Flood
On Monday, October 4th, this filthy-looking reservoir in Hungary burst its walls, releasing 700,000 cubic metres (24 million cubic feet) of toxic sludge onto the surrounding countryside and villages. A byproduct of refining bauxite into alumina at the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant, the sludge swept over the landscape in a flood that was several metres high – sweeping cars off the road in its wake. The accident has so far claimed the lives of at least 8 people, and 120 more are known to have been injured – many of them suffering chemical burns. As well as the human…