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Kenyans ill in 'toxic waste' leak Kenyans ill in 'toxic waste' leak
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of people near the Kenyan port of Mombasa say they have become ill after a consignment of leaking chemical containers was dumped nearby.Hundreds of people near the Kenyan port of Mombasa say they have become ill after a consignment of leaking chemical containers was dumped nearby.
Witnesses told the BBC that drums were abandoned at Kipevu near the port of Mombasa more than a month ago by a truck driver who had noticed a leak. Witnesses told the BBC that the drums were abandoned at Kipevu near the port over a month ago by a truck driver who had noticed liquid seeping out.
It is unclear what is in the drums but it may include nitric acid. The city's environmental officer says the drums have traces of nitric acid.
Since then, people living nearby complained of breathing difficulties, stomach upsets and chest pains. A BBC reporter in Mombasa says two women living in a Kipevu slum have complained of having miscarriages.
Kenya's environment agency says it has brought in tonnes of sands and other agents to neutralise the spill. Other slum residents have also complained of breathing difficulties, stomach upsets and chest pains.
I had gone to relieve myself in the toilet, while there but was hit by a strong fume Kibibi, slum resident who miscarried
The BBC's Odhiambo Joseph says he also experienced breathing difficulties and a stomach upset after visiting the area.
Apparently a yellow liquid and noxious fumes have been escaping from the containers.
The National Environmental Management Agency (Nema) says it has brought in tonnes of sand and other agents to try to neutralise the spill.
Ugandan company
The director of environment at the Mombasa City Council says they have sent samples of the chemicals to the government chemist for identification.
The chemical cargo was on its way from Mombasa port to a mining company in western Uganda when it was dumped.The chemical cargo was on its way from Mombasa port to a mining company in western Uganda when it was dumped.
The Mombasa City Council has ordered the company to appear in court to answer charges of environmental pollution, our correspondent says.
The company says an agent in Mombasa is dealing with the case.The company says an agent in Mombasa is dealing with the case.
One woman was injured when contents of one of the drums splashed onto her hand, others have complained of respiratory problems and other symptoms. The chemicals are also said to be destroying property, corroding the metal sheets used to build houses and melting anything made of plastic.
Apparently a yellow liquid and noxious fumes have been escaping from the container. According to residents in the slum - known as Kalahari Village - the acid seems to have entered the latrine systems.
Kibibi, whose house was near the chemical spill, alleges she miscarried as a result.
"It was a three-month-old pregnancy. I had gone to relieve myself in the toilet, while there but was hit by a strong fume," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"I quickly gathered myself up and ran back towards my room but I could not manage - I fell down and I started bleeding immediately."