Race on to clean up Hungary's toxic sludge8 October 2010
The tide of toxic sludge from the industrial accident in Hungary has been wreaking environmental havoc.
The leak occurred at an alumina plant in Kolontar on 4 October, killing four people and injuring more than 150 others.
The sludge also killed all of the fish in one local river. There are now fears fish and water supplies could be poisoned in the River Danube.
Friends of the Earth Hungary/ Magyar Termeszetvedok Szovetsege (MTVSZ) has thrown its support behind the clean-up operation.
The group - which like us, is part of Friends of the Earth Europe - is aiming to buy protective masks, rubber boots and gloves for local inhabitants.
Protection needed
Friends of the Earth Europe says the immediate concerns are to protect people and the environment. The group has emphasised a need for more robust environmental protection measures in the longer term.
In a statement, Friends of the Earth Europe said: "Far too often we see environmental disasters of this kind, yet we continue to see corporate opposition to strong environmental health and safety regulations at a national, European and international level.
Corporations say the costs are too high, but the real cost of weak regulation is clear for all to see.
Friends of the Earth Europe
Friends of the Earth Hungary is also lobbying the government to stop the company that caused the sludge from enlarging bauxite mines in a forested area.
Read more at Friends of the Earth Hungary's website.
