The Danube, the second longest river in Europe, flowing through ten countries, among the most picturesque waterways in the world, holder of one of the continent's greatest treasures of wildlife is at risk.
The majestic Danube is now in danger of contamination with toxic sludge from an aluminum plant in Hungary.
A reservoir of an aluminum plant in Ajka, Hungary ruptured on Monday, flooding several towns with towering waves of red sludge, killing four people, injuring about a hundred and some are still missing. It’s estimated that 600,000 to 700,000 cubic meters spilled from the reservoir affecting towns as far as a hundred miles southwest of Budapest.
The toxic mud has now travelled down river and has reached the Danube waters. There are fears the mud could poison the Danube threatening countries downstream from Hungary.
The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube, which manages the river and its tributaries, reported attempts to reduce the adverse effect of the sludge, evaluation of impacts on health and the environment is ongoing, together with monitoring of the status of surface and groundwater.
Currently, countries downstream including Croatia, Serbia, and Romania, are drawing up disaster plans.
Comments
Oh no that is horrible news that the sludge may go into the Danube River. I really hope it does not; this is one of the worst chemical spills ever.
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