Hungary opens criminal probe into sludge disaster
Hungary's top investigative agency opened a criminal probe into the toxic sludge flood Wednesday while the European Union and environmental groups warned the disaster could have long-term consequences for countries along the Danube River.
Hundreds of people had to be evacuated after a gigantic sludge reservoir burst Monday at a metals plant in Ajka, a town 100 miles (160 kilometers) southwest of Budapest, the capital. The torrent inundated homes, swept cars off roads, damaged bridges and disgorging an estimated 1 million cubic meters (35 million cubic feet) of toxic waste onto several nearby towns. At least four people have been killed, three are still missing and 120 have been injured. (AP)
