KOLONTÁR — 2010 · Major Tragedy
The Ajka Red Sludge Disaster
Around midday on 4 October 2010 the northwest corner of the dam of waste reservoir number 10 at an alumina plant near Ajka gave way. About one million cubic metres of highly alkaline red mud swept as a one-to-two-metre wave through the village of Kolontár and the town of Devecser. Ten people were killed and about 150 injured, many with chemical burns. The sludge wiped out life in local streams and reached the Danube on 7 October. Considered Hungary's worst environmental disaster, it prompted Europe-wide debate on oversight of industrial waste reservoirs.
- Date
- 2010
- Place
- Veszprém County, Hungary, Kolontár, HU
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 47.0850, 17.4800 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 4 October 2010The reservoir dam failed; sludge flooded Kolontár and Devecser.
- October 2010Ten dead and about 150 injured were reported.
- 7 October 2010Contamination reached the Danube.
- AfterwardsThe worst-hit part of Kolontár was evacuated; a European debate on oversight began.
Sources
- CNN — Explainer: Hungary's toxic sludge torrent cnn.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Ajka alumina plant accident en.wikipedia.org ↗
- CNN
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.