On October 4, 2010 an industrial accident occurred in western Hungary. A dam wall collapsed, freeing more than 35 million cubic feet of liquid waste or red mud" from the Ajkai Timföldgyár alumina plant in Ajka. The released waste flooded several nearby localities, injured more than 120 people, and has claimed more than six lives to date. The high amounts of toxic material found in the mud including arsenic, mercury, and chrome can cause an alkaline reaction and burn the skin. These chemicals have extinguished all existing life in the nearby Marcal River.
