Hungary sludge flood called 'ecological disaster'

KOLONTAR, Hungary - A lethal torrent of toxic red sludge from a metal refinery engulfed towns in Hungary, burning villagers through their clothes and threatening an ecological disaster on Tuesday as it swept toward the Danube River.

The flood of caustic red mud triggered a emergency declaration by Hungarian officials. At least four people were killed, six were missing and 120 injured, many with burns.

Hundreds were evacuated in the aftermath of the disaster on Monday, when a gigantic sludge reservoir burst its banks at an alumina plant in Ajka, a town 160 km southwest of Budapest, the capital. The torrent of sludge inundated homes, swept cars off roads and damaged bridges.