Côte d'Ivoire: Toxic waste pollution crisis – Sep 2006

According to various sources, hazardous substances were dumped from the vessel, 'Probo Koala' on or about 19 Aug 2006 at a number of sites in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Initially six people were reported to have died and several thousand sought health care through fear of contamination or inhaling fumes. Symptoms included intestinal and respiratory problems as well as nose bleeds, nausea and vomiting. The Government requested international assistance in dealing with the crisis on 4 Sep. As a result of the crisis, the Cabinet was dissolved on 6 Sep. On 9 Sep, an UNDAC team was requested by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Abidjan, to assist the UN and national authorities in coordination of the response to the crisis. (OCHA, 11 Sep 2006) As of 16 Oct, 10 deaths, 64 hospitalizations and 104,000 medical consultations had been recorded. The number of consultations per day had decreased from 3,600 in September to 70. (OCHA, 23 Oct 2006)