Several Ukrainian villages are at risk from a giant poisonous cloud that formed after a train carrying a toxic chemical caught fire and derailed.
Several Ukrainian villages are at risk from a giant poisonous cloud that formed after a train carrying a toxic chemical caught fire and derailed.
The cloud covers an area of 90sq km (56sq miles) above some 14 villages near the town of Lviv.
The cloud covers an area of 90sq km (56sq miles) above some 14 villages near the town of Lviv.
Hundreds of villagers from the area have been evacuated and at least 20 people have been taken to hospital.
Hundreds of villagers from the area have been evacuated and at least 20 people have been taken to hospital.
The fire aboard the train carrying highly flammable yellow phosphorous was put out late on Monday, reports say.
The fire aboard the train carrying highly flammable yellow phosphorus was put out late on Monday, reports say.
The train was travelling from Kazakhstan to Poland and Ukrainian rescue teams are still said to be working at the site of the accident.
The train was travelling from Kazakhstan to Poland and Ukrainian rescue teams are still said to be working at the site of the accident.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk compared the accident to the blast at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in 1986.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk compared the accident to the blast at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in 1986.
"A disaster has happened. After the Chernobyl catastrophe we are dealing with a case that can pose a real threat for our people," the Associated Press news agency quotes Mr Kuzmuk as saying.
"A disaster has happened. After the Chernobyl catastrophe we are dealing with a case that can pose a real threat for our people," the Associated Press news agency quotes Mr Kuzmuk as saying.
"It is an extraordinary event, the consequences of which cannot be predicted."
"It is an extraordinary event, the consequences of which cannot be predicted."
While hundreds of villagers have been evacuated, those who remain in the area have been advised to stay indoors and avoid eating vegetables or animal produce sourced locally.
While hundreds of villagers have been evacuated, those who remain in the area have been advised to stay indoors and avoid eating vegetables or animal produce sourced locally.
Phosphorus compounds are mainly used in fertilizers, but can also be used to produce pesticides, cleaning products and explosives.
Phosphorus compounds are mainly used in fertilisers, but can also be used to produce pesticides, cleaning products and explosives.
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