Level of Sludge Pond at Bukoza Plant in Eastern Slovakia Successfully Reduced

Nizny Hrabovec, 23 February (TASR) - The level of a sludge pond at the Bukoza plant in the village of Nizny Hrabovec in Vranov nad Toplou district (Presov region) was successfully reduced on Sunday evening (22 February), the Interior Ministry's strategic communications department told TASR on Monday, adding that the hazardous substances that have been pumped out will be disposed of in a qualified manner. The crisis management team continues its efforts to resolve the situation as quickly and effectively as possible and is taking measures to stabilise it on an ongoing basis. "Crisis management authorities are coordinating activities on site. All parties are working to prevent any threat to the lives and health of residents and any environmental damage," they said. Firefighters, the Interior Ministry's crisis management unit and the crisis management department of the District Office in Vranov nad Toplou are responding at the scene. Communication is also ongoing with the Slovak Environment Inspectorate (SIZP), the bankruptcy trustee and mayors of surrounding municipalities. Over the weekend, the overflow from the sludge pond in the municipality of Nizny Hrabovec was addressed by reinforcing and raising the embankment with sandbags. A black alkaline substance was overflowing the embankment, threatening to reach the Ondava River. Due to the situation at the Bukoza plant, the neighbouring village of Hencovce declared an emergency on 18 February. Black liquor leaked at the former pulp mill site. Firefighters installed special containers on site to collect hazardous substances. am/df