This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/5376694.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Five face Ivorian waste questions Top Ivorians 'innocent' on waste
(about 23 hours later)
Five former senior officials in Ivory Coast have been ordered to appear before parliament on Monday over the country's toxic waste scandal. Three former senior officials in Ivory Coast have appeared before parliament over the country's toxic waste scandal.
All five were dismissed or suspended after waste was illegally dumped in the largest city, Abidjan. They defended their actions but were not required to answer questions.
Tens of thousands sought hospital treatment for poisoning and seven people died. All three were dismissed or suspended after waste was illegally dumped in the largest city, Abidjan. Two ex-ministers failed to attend the hearings.
One official told the BBC he would ignore the summons issued by the National Assembly. Some 77,000 people have sought medical treatment for poisoning and eight people died, causing public anger, which led the government to resign.
He said the opposition no longer recognises its authority. The BBC's James Copnall says that the heads of the port and of the customs, and the governor of Abidjan each addressed the members of parliament and each insisted they were innocent.
In addition to the National Assembly, there are at least three others inquiries and a legal investigation aiming to find out who is responsible for dumping the waste.
Clean-upClean-up
The government's slow reaction to the crisis so enraged Ivorians that the cabinet was forced to resign and the government reshuffled.The government's slow reaction to the crisis so enraged Ivorians that the cabinet was forced to resign and the government reshuffled.
The country has already begun the process of making safe 11 sites contaminated by the waste. href="/1/hi/in_pictures/5322760.stm" class="">In pictures: Toxic waste href="/1/hi/sci/tech/5323258.stm" class="">Global path of pollution href="/1/hi/world/africa/5323400.stm" class="">Eyewitness: Exposed The country has already begun the process of making safe 11 sites contaminated by the waste.
In pictures: Toxic waste Global path of pollution Eyewitness: Exposed
The 400 metric tonnes of waste contained a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings.The 400 metric tonnes of waste contained a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings.
Many thousands of people sought treatment for vomiting, stomach pains, nausea, breathing difficulties, nosebleeds and migraines.Many thousands of people sought treatment for vomiting, stomach pains, nausea, breathing difficulties, nosebleeds and migraines.
The company which chartered the ship which transported the waste, Trafigura Beheer BV, has said it informed the Ivorian authorities that the waste should be disposed of correctly.The company which chartered the ship which transported the waste, Trafigura Beheer BV, has said it informed the Ivorian authorities that the waste should be disposed of correctly.
An inquiry is under way and eight people have been arrested so far.