Hundreds of people have been protesting in the main Ivory Coast city, Abidjan, after two children reportedly died after inhaling fumes from toxic waste.
Hundreds of people have been protesting in the main Ivory Coast city, Abidjan, after two children reportedly died after inhaling fumes from toxic waste.
Ivorian television has interrupted its regular programmes to urge the protesters to give doctors access to sites where toxic waste was dumped.
Ivorian television has interrupted its regular programmes to urge the protesters to give doctors access to sites where toxic waste was dumped.
It said people faced serious health threats because of the toxic material. Hundreds of people are being treated.
It said people faced serious health threats because of the toxic material. Hundreds of people are being treated.
The waste was dumped by a ship several weeks ago in unclear circumstances.
The waste was dumped by a ship several weeks ago in unclear circumstances.
Trafigura Beheer BV, the company that chartered the ship Probo Koala, said it was very concerned by reports that "residue from the petrol cargo" had been disposed of inappropriately.
Trafigura Beheer BV, the company that chartered the ship Probo Koala, said it was very concerned by reports that "residue from the petrol cargo" had been disposed of inappropriately.
I'm feeling very bad in the throat and I have headaches and I cannot breathe properly Abidjan resident
I'm feeling very bad in the throat and I have headaches and I cannot breathe properly Abidjan resident
The BBC's James Copnall in Abidjan says anger is growing at the failure of the government to do more to tackle the problem.
The BBC's James Copnall in Abidjan says anger is growing at the failure of the government to do more to tackle the problem.
Those affected are being treated for stomach problems, nosebleeds and respiratory illnesses.
Those affected are being treated for stomach problems, nosebleeds and respiratory illnesses.
Ivory Coast's Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny said the situation was worse than initially assumed, and the cabinet would meet to discuss the crisis.
Ivory Coast's Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny said the situation was worse than initially assumed, and the cabinet would meet to discuss the crisis.
Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Our correspondent says hundreds of youths have set up roadblocks to draw attention to the problem.
Our correspondent says hundreds of youths have set up roadblocks to draw attention to the problem.
"I'm feeling very bad in the throat and I have headaches and I cannot breathe properly," Eric, a patient seeking treatment at Abidjan's university teaching hospital city, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
"I'm feeling very bad in the throat and I have headaches and I cannot breathe properly," Eric, a patient seeking treatment at Abidjan's university teaching hospital city, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
The hospital has set up a specialist unit to deal with those suffering from similar symptoms.
The hospital has set up a specialist unit to deal with those suffering from similar symptoms.
"We don't know what we're treating. When they have stinging eyes or noses we give them drops. We want to know what it is so we know how to treat it," the manager of a local hospital told Reuters news agency.
"We don't know what we're treating. When they have stinging eyes or noses we give them drops. We want to know what it is so we know how to treat it," the manager of a local hospital told Reuters news agency.
He added the hospital was running low on some medicines and X-ray film.
He added the hospital was running low on some medicines and X-ray film.
In a statement, Trafigura Beheer BV said it told Ivorian authorities of the nature of the waste including "a written request that it should be safely disposed of, according to country laws".
In a statement, Trafigura Beheer BV said it told Ivorian authorities of the nature of the waste including "a written request that it should be safely disposed of, according to country laws".
"Trafigura can confirm that the residue (slops) were a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings," the statement continued.
"Trafigura can confirm that the residue (slops) were a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings," the statement continued.
On Monday, two girls, aged four and nine, are reported to have died after inhaling fumes from the toxic waste.
On Monday, two girls, aged four and nine, are reported to have died after inhaling fumes from the toxic waste.
In an unusual move, state television interrupted its programming on Wednesday to urge protesters "to enable physicians and health workers who must imperatively report to the hospitals and clinics to treat the victims of the toxic waste, to move freely".
In an unusual move, state television interrupted its programming on Wednesday to urge protesters "to enable physicians and health workers who must imperatively report to the hospitals and clinics to treat the victims of the toxic waste, to move freely".
