Ivory Coast Toxic Dumping Poisonings Reach Nearly 16,000 - AFP

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The number of people in Ivory Coast seeking treatment for toxic waste poisoning has risen from 10,000 to nearly 16,000, with six fatalities, a health ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

"There were a total of 15,749 consultations by yesterday (Tuesday) evening," spokesman Simeon N'Da told AFP.

"Of these, 23 have been hospitalised and six have died."

On Tuesday the authorities said 10,000 people had gone to doctors fearing health problems, nearly one month after a Panamanian-registered ship dumped hundreds of tonnes of toxic sludge on open-air sites in the economic capital Abidjan.

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http://www.terradaily.com/2006/060913130014.yxgj7tu3.html