BUDAPEST, Hungary — The reservoir of an alumina plant in western Hungary burst on Monday, flooding several towns with towering waves of red sludge. Two people died, two were missing and several dozen were injured, rescue services said.
The spill of an estimated 600,000-700,000 cubic meters (yards) of sludge affected several localities such as Kolontar and Devecser near the Ajkai Timfoldgyar plant in the town of Ajka, 160 kilometres southwest of Budapest, the capital.
In Devecser, the sludge flooded some 400 homes, and 40 people had to be rescued in the neighbouring town of Somlovasarhely. In Kolontar, the rushing sludge reached a height of two meters.
The sludge, a waste product in aluminum production, contains heavy metals and is toxic if ingested, the National Disaster Management Directorate said.
Fifty-one people, including seven who were seriously hurt, were being treated by medical staff.
The most common injuries caused by the caustic sludge were burns on the skin and eyes, said Jozsef Czirner, the regional rescue service director.
Army vehicles, two helicopters and some 40 soldiers were sent to assist with rescue efforts, state news wire MTI reported citing the defence ministry.
Police were also investigating the cause of the incident, MTI said.