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Firm agrees Ivorian waste payouts Firm agrees Ivorian waste payouts
(8 minutes later)
An oil trading firm has agreed to pay more than $45m (£27m) compensation to people in Ivory Coast who say they were made ill by dumped waste in 2006.An oil trading firm has agreed to pay more than $45m (£27m) compensation to people in Ivory Coast who say they were made ill by dumped waste in 2006.
The international commodities trader Trafigura said 30,000 people will each receive $1,500 (£920). The international commodities trader Trafigura said 30,000 people will each receive $1,500 (£950).
The money is in addition to the nearly $200m that the company paid the Ivorian government in 2007.The money is in addition to the nearly $200m that the company paid the Ivorian government in 2007.
Trafigura and the plaintiff's lawyers agreed that a link between the dumped waste and deaths had not been proved.Trafigura and the plaintiff's lawyers agreed that a link between the dumped waste and deaths had not been proved.
A joint statement by the company and the British lawyers representing the Ivorians, Leigh Day and Co, said at worst the waste had caused flu-like symptons.A joint statement by the company and the British lawyers representing the Ivorians, Leigh Day and Co, said at worst the waste had caused flu-like symptons.
UN reportUN report
The chemical waste had been generated by Trafigura, which has bases in London, Amsterdam and Geneva.The chemical waste had been generated by Trafigura, which has bases in London, Amsterdam and Geneva.
It was transported to Ivory Coast on a ship called Probo Koala.It was transported to Ivory Coast on a ship called Probo Koala.
In August 2006 truckload after truckload of it was dumped at 15 locations around Abidjan, the biggest city in Ivory Coast.In August 2006 truckload after truckload of it was dumped at 15 locations around Abidjan, the biggest city in Ivory Coast.
In the weeks that followed the dumping, tens of thousands of people reported a range of similar symptoms, including breathing problems, sickness and diarrhoea.In the weeks that followed the dumping, tens of thousands of people reported a range of similar symptoms, including breathing problems, sickness and diarrhoea.
SETTLEMENT STATEMENT Agreed Final Joint StatementSource: Trafigura [55.5 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereSETTLEMENT STATEMENT Agreed Final Joint StatementSource: Trafigura [55.5 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
On Wednesday a United Nations report suggested a strong link between 15 deaths and toxic waste dumps.On Wednesday a United Nations report suggested a strong link between 15 deaths and toxic waste dumps.
The report said there is "strong prima facie evidence that the reported deaths and adverse health consequences are related to the dumping of the waste from the cargo ship".The report said there is "strong prima facie evidence that the reported deaths and adverse health consequences are related to the dumping of the waste from the cargo ship".
Trafigura criticised the UN report as premature and inaccurate, saying: "We are appalled at the basic lack of balance and analytical rigour reflected in the report."Trafigura criticised the UN report as premature and inaccurate, saying: "We are appalled at the basic lack of balance and analytical rigour reflected in the report."
Trafigura has always insisted it was not responsible for the dumping of the waste, as this was carried out by a subcontractor.Trafigura has always insisted it was not responsible for the dumping of the waste, as this was carried out by a subcontractor.
It also denies that the waste - gasoline residues mixed with caustic washings - could have led to the serious illnesses the residents claim, which include skin burns, bleeding and breathing problems.It also denies that the waste - gasoline residues mixed with caustic washings - could have led to the serious illnesses the residents claim, which include skin burns, bleeding and breathing problems.
In 2007 it paid nearly $200m to the Ivorian government to "compensate the victims" among other things.In 2007 it paid nearly $200m to the Ivorian government to "compensate the victims" among other things.
The government-administered fund paid compensation to the families of 16 people whose deaths they believed were caused by the waste.The government-administered fund paid compensation to the families of 16 people whose deaths they believed were caused by the waste.