In pics: Hungary swamped by toxic chemical sludge

A state of emergency has been declared in Hungary, in Europe, after parts of the country were swamped with deadly red sludge, about 100 miles from the capital, Budapest.

The toxic waste burst from a reservoir at a metal factory on Monday, spewing through nearby villages. In one, a place called Devecser, the flow was 2m deep!

The sludge is a mix of water and metal waste, which causes nasty burns if it touches the skin.

So far, four people have died and more than 100 have been hurt. Police are investigating what caused the spill, which officials are describing as Hungary's worst chemical accident.

Now the race is on for emergency workers who are trying to stop the sludge getting into rivers.

This cat was rescued in time, but no-one knows what long term damage the sludge could do to plants and animals in the area.

The Hungarian government says it will take at least a year, and cost millions of pounds, to clean up the damage caused by the spill.

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