World

‘Burned to The Bone’: Toxic ‘Red Sludge’ Flood in Hungary Claims 3 Lives

DEVECSER, Hungary (AP) — A third person has died in flooding caused by the rupture of a red sludge reservoir at an alumina plant in western Hungary, rescue services said Tuesday. Six people were missing and 120 injured in what officials said was an ecological disaster.

The sludge, a waste product in aluminum production, contains heavy metals and is toxic if ingested. Many of the injured sustained burns as the sludge seeped through their clothes. Two of the injured were in life threatening condition.

The chemical burns caused by the sludge could take days to reveal themselves and what may seem like superficial injuries could later cause damage to deeper tissue, Peter Jakabos, a doctor on duty at a hospital in Gyor where several of the injured were taken, said on state television.

Burned to The Bone: Toxic Red Sludge Flood in Hungary Claims 3 Lives

The government declared a state of emergency in three counties affected by the flooding. Several hundred tons of plaster were being poured into the Marcal river to bind the toxic sludge and prevent it from flowing on, the National Disaster Management Directorate said.

So far, about 35.3 million cubic feet (1 million cubic meters) of sludge has leaked from the reservoir and affected an estimated area of 15.4 square miles (40 square kilometers), Environmental Affairs State Secretary Zoltan Illes told state news wire MTI.

Illes said the incident was an “ecological catastrophe” and it was feared that the sludge could reach the Raba and Danube rivers.

Burned to The Bone: Toxic Red Sludge Flood in Hungary Claims 3 Lives

Seven towns, including Kolontal, Devecser and Somlovasarhely, were affected near the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant in the town of Ajka, 100 miles (160 kilometers) southwest of Budapest, the capital.

On Tuesday morning, the sludge in Tunde Erdelyi’s house in Devecser was still five feet (1.5 meters) high and rescue workers used an ax to cut through her living room door to let the red liquid flow out.

“When I heard the rumble of the flood, all the time I had was to jump out the window and run to higher ground,” said a tearful Erdelyi, still shocked by the events but grateful that she had been able to save a family rabbit and that her cat was found wet and shivering in the attic.

Robert Kis, Erdelyi’s husband, said his uncle had been taken to Budapest, the capital, by helicopter after the sludge “burned him to the bone.”

Burned to The Bone: Toxic Red Sludge Flood in Hungary Claims 3 Lives

The flood overturned Erdelyi‘s car and pushed it some 30 yards to the back of the garden while her husband’s van was lifted on to a fence.

“We still have some copper in the garage that we could sell to make a living for a while,” Kis said as he attempted to appraise the damage to his house and belongings.

The disaster agency said 390 residents had to be temporarily relocated and 110 were rescued from the flooded towns, where firefighters and soldiers were carrying out cleanup tasks.

___

Associated Press writer Pablo Gorondi in Budapest contributed to this report.

Burned to The Bone: Toxic Red Sludge Flood in Hungary Claims 3 Lives

Comments (65)

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  • Gordon Pym
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:34pm

    Boston January 15, 1919

    Report Post »  
    • troyvar
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:43pm

      I wouldn’t have thought that molasses in January could travel that fast.

      Report Post » troyvar  
  • traze
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:24pm

    What there not telling you is that this sludge contains fluoride.

    Report Post »  
  • M.Witherington
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:19pm

    My heart goes out to those people. At the same time I keep thinking how ironic that Europe keeps wanting to tell America that we should be as environmentally enlightend as them. What an eco-nightmare.

    Report Post »  
  • wolly
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:10pm

    oh how sad — my prayers are with these folks.

    Report Post »  
  • MetricWrench
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:56am

    Isten aldd meg a Magyart! I love Hungary, but environmental oversight is a throwback to the old days of communist rule. Just more proof that American companies policing themselves are always cleaner than anything else.

    Report Post »  
  • The Good Source 101
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:31am

    They have a Red Sludge Reservoir !? Anyone find that odd?

    Report Post » The Good Source 101  
  • nephewofdboone
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:25am

    These are the folks who think Americans should be paying for carbon credits. Hey Americans: Got sludge? You will, if you elect democrat communists.

    Report Post » nephewofdboone  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:24am

    There was a Red Sludge at the Lincoln Memorial last weekend.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:09am

    Everyone reaps what they sow.

    Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:08am

    That’s where Socialism leads you. I’m sure that a use could have been found for all that sludge, but then again who wants to open companies in a Socialism?

    Report Post »  
    • ah77
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:50pm

      This is the result of a corrupt and greedy government, and the lack of regulations/inspections. Kinda like the BP spill….due to cutting corners. A man-made tragedy resulting in a natural catastrophe. Devastating.

      Report Post »  
    • ah77
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:02pm

      Bad things happen everywhere. The said part for Hungary is that the general mentality of the people is pessimistic and disengaged. You don’t find the sense of community there what you find amongst Americans. That’s what happens when you have communist control your life and limit your potentials for too long.

      Report Post »  
  • CrackerSmurf
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:07am

    Well obviously if you put metal and toxic chemicals in a dirt wall eventually the metal will outweigh the wall. After you make the Aluminum in which you are making this compound why not separate the rest of the metal product out of the liquid and then maybe try to figure out how to purify the water? Why do people do stupid things like this and then call it a tragedy? I’m sorry people got hurt but it is not a tragedy or catastrophe it is STUPIDITY. I like Edge of WWE and Glenn Beck am on a crusade against stupidity. Which is more or less what this comes down too.

    Report Post » CrackerSmurf  
    • GnomeChomsky
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:32pm

      I have to disagree, I think its far worse than stupidity, its intentional and profit driven. The fact is its cheaper than it would be to properly contain and/or dispose of this waste. When then are no regulations in place and companies are given free reign this is the result, shortcuts are made, lives are lost, and eco-systems destroyed. But hey that profit margin keeps growing.

      Report Post »  
    • abc
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:46pm

      GnomeChomsky is correct. This is why you need government regulations. Companies competing on profit will cut costs to the bone to maximize profits. If the government doesn’t require that they spend on safety, then they will not. Corporate executives actually want the regulations so cutting such a corner is no longer a decision that they can make, under the pressure of profit-making. This is especially true in commodity industries where there is no brand name to defend. Economic theory points to a clear need for gov’t regs, but that runs counter to the conservative narrative that gov’t is always bad, unless it is in a uniform, invading another country…

      Report Post »  
  • tjdavid21444
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:00am

    Gaze upon our future. With Science Czar John Holdren’s “we need to de-develop America” attitude, how long before stuff like this starts happening here? Remember the bridge collapse in Minneapolis? That happened because those entrusted with managing highway dollars chose to spend it on politically sexier, more visible projects than the necessary maintenance of steel truss bridges. According to the beliefs of the current ruling class, we should be dragged down to the level of the rest of the world, in order to elevate them. Remember in November, folks. Or you’ll be burned to the bone too.

    Report Post »  
  • tarpon
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:50am

    This is the basic problems about third world countries … they do stupid stuff.

    Report Post »  
    • Chett
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:54am

      much of this sort of thing is left overs from when the communists were in charge – it has only been 20 years. And Hungary is by no means third world.

      Report Post »  
    • ah77
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:38pm

      Stupid is not knowing that Hungary is not a third world country. Wise up!

      Report Post »  
  • emmanuel Goldstein
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:44am

    How horrible!!!

    I wonder why no one ever saw this coming. Perhaps the EPA is not all bad after all.

    Report Post » emmanuel Goldstein  
  • redenfritz
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:25am

    Leaked? Looks like it blew the reservoir out altogether! Terrible!

    Report Post »  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:24am

    Brutal. What can one say aside a prayer .

    ….a disaster which sadly do occur to many of us at one time or another, never seen one like this though . :(

    I cannot believe something like this isn‘t always enclosed in solid Cement encasement’s set INTO the ground with stadium like retractable covers instead of ABOVE it uncovered as we see pictured. What about birds and the likes? Look closely at that pic. That thing is huge, unreal stupidity it seems. Euro….

    I’ve never seen one of these in this country although something of the nature must exist… especially built on what must be higher ground where it can seep downward like so to engulf people’s homes 5 feet high…

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
    • GnomeChomsky
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:26pm

      We do have things like this here, perhaps even worse. If you live an area where theyre drilling for natural gas and using fracking liquids they keep the resulting waste in retention ponds that are often unlined and uncovered. This stuff then seeps into the water table and people’s wells. Yet another good example of deregulation for you.http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking

      Report Post »  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on October 6, 2010 at 7:33pm

      Yeah GNOME, it is bad stuff, though that video is a little bias, but none the less, I agree with you. However, in the same breath, this hasn’t stopped the Democratic leaders from pushing for it because of the tax revenues they can draw, and just recently the Unions are now demanding to get their portion of the work now. Which I am sure, the de-regulations will remain in places as the deals are cut with the Politicians(which as mentioned are primarily democratic, but republican included) and they bring the Unions in. As long as they don’t oppose a heavy tax and give a majority of the work to the Unions, they don’t even have to worry about the regulations and the incidents are covered up.
      Mark my words.. I don’t know what the solution is to this stuff. They won’t drill if it is too costly, which certainly will be the case if they hire Unions workers. The technology is still in it’s infantacy and still rather costly to extract or “frac”. So even at this point, they are only drilling when the barrel market values for oil are up.
      I know the problems you speak of and watched and read all the problems. IT isn’t deregulation that is the problem, it is always the company’s neglect of the regulations in place, followed by only a smack on the bottom when they do get “caught”, because the politicians are all wrapped up in it. Steeper fines and penalties for violation would be the best result, and getting the politicians out of the loop because i am sure they buddie up with these guys because of the tax revenues they get to use for their social programs works in their favor and then sweep these issues under the rug or get these guys off the hook when they are caught. They should be closed down permanently, then another company who will follow the procedural regulations can come in. But they already based the stated budget on the anticipated revenues of the oil drilling, so they leave the company in place and these company’s know they need them just as much.. does that make sense.. ?? I know I am not to good a making a point..lol
      See how it all works?? 100 million in tax revenue’s can allow a politician to push and pay for many government programs, so it is in his interest that these company’s remain open… a balancing act of power and money which leaves us the people suffering in every way. What a mess, any way you look at it.

      Report Post » Hobbs57  
  • AMERICA4EVER
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:24am

    It‘s Bush’s fault.

     
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 1:26pm

      How can you say its Bush’s fault? http://wp.me/pYLB7-bc

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • TrollHunter
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:19pm

      America4Ever: Worst troll ever…if you’re gonna troll, at least write something interesting.

      http://www.homotron.net/images/homotron/258Troll_spray.jpg

      Report Post » TrollHunter  
    • navydoc2008
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:31pm

      Thats what the Dems would have you believe. C’mon Mr Obama say it…. say it…..

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on October 6, 2010 at 7:33pm

      There are worse trolls than America4ever, but not by much.

      The root cause of this is over-regulation of industries in India by the government. The EPA in the US has not lessoned pollution, but, ironically increased it, because the expense required to comply with burdonsome, nonsensical regs requires companies to actually pollute more in order compensate for lost revenue. Same with OSHA. How many lives have OSHA regulations saved? Easy. Zero.

      Report Post » jzs  
  • Chett
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:24am

    uhoh, thats only about 100 miles from me – upstream. :(

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:07am

    how sad my heart and prays to these people

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • Sledgehammer
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:00am

    My family and I, will keep you our prayers.

    Report Post » Sledgehammer  
  • onesoul
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:50am

    Hmmm… from the website of MAL Magyar Aluminum’s Environmental Protection page:

    // MAL Internet Portal / Environment protection
    Environment protection

    Our company has committed itself considerably to minimise all negative effects on the environment and to comply with the European standards. Up-to-date process and equipments are used to protect the purity of air and natural water.

    Suitably localized, up-to-date, fail-safe ponds equipped with monitoring system are available to dispose the red mud. We devote ourselves to recultivate the red mud dumping area. The filled red mud disposal ponds are continuously covered with soil and plants.

    The environment management system according to ISO 14001 was introduced in 1999.

    Report Post »  
  • BernieKittyCat
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:46am

    We pray for you all.

    Report Post » BernieKittyCat  
    • ScienceIsNotEvil
      Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:20pm

      If God would not stop this before it happens why difference will you praying after the fact have?

      Report Post »  
  • Sinista Mace
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:45am

    Jesus.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Alvin691
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:43am

    Again, why weren’t they using the byproducts for other uses. You can‘t tell me there isn’t a use for this in other industry. Put it on the market, find another business that can use the leftovers.

    Report Post »  
    • Gordon Pym
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:32pm

      It may be that regulations make selling or transporting the leftovers either prohibitive or impossible.

      Report Post »  
    • sanson
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 1:46pm

      Did you notice they are not cleaning it up but washing it down the road…..Guess it will make it to the rivers quicker this way:(

      Report Post »  
    • ILFarmer
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 1:47pm

      @Maulemall,
      what does Bush have to do with any of this? Please stop typing for the sake of typing.

      As for the article, I hope that those that are exposed don’t have any serious issues. Heavy Metal Poisoning can’t be very easy to deal with and is likely quite painful.

      Report Post »  
    • tellin_you_now
      Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:13pm

      I couldn’t find a use, but I was surprised to find how big the problem is. Here’s a link: http://www.redmud.org/Disposal.html There’s so much of it. It seems like somebody should be able to make money using the chemical potential that is there. One problem with regulation, though, is that once you transform the waste you own it. Assuming the liability for the next lake of waste, even if it’s less toxic, is probably not worth the effort.

      Report Post »  
  • heidi586
    Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:42am

    I can’t imagine; those poor people…my heart and prayers to everyone involved.

    Report Post » heidi586  
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