ReliefWeb

Some 20,000 metric tons of mud contaminated with lead, copper, and zinc began oozing into Hungary's Tisza River on 11 March after heavy rain broke the dam of a former ore mine in Romania. A Romanian Environment Ministry official said it could take up to a month to repair the dam. Hungarian authorities have ordered the highest state of alert on the entire stretch of the Upper Tisza, between Tiszabecs and Tokaj. Government Commissioner Janos Gonczy said the effects of the heavy metals contamination could be even more lasting than the recent cyanide spill. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that if no other way can be found, international pressure should be brought to bear on Romania to sign treaties on environmental protection. MSZ