Red sludge devastated eight villages in Hungary

This satellite image courtesy of Digital Globe clearly shows the environmental damage following a toxic flood in Akja, Hungary.

Around 70,000 cubic metres of toxic red sludge devastated eight villages in Hungary, including Kolontar and Devecsar, and killed nine people (about 150 others were injured). As seen in this infographic.

The toxin was released when a reservoir used by an aluminium processing plant burst its banks.

Commenting on the incident insurance company Chubb said: “This clearly displays that environmental incidents, when they occur, can have significant effects on the environment and lead to massive financial liabilities on companies, some of which may be ill prepared to meet them.”