Toxic Mud From Runaway Oil Well In Indonesia Covers Monaco-Sized Area

[hatrack]

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The mud has now swamped an area larger than Monaco, triggering an environmental disaster that has inundated four villages, 20 factories and acres of crops in the Sidoarjo area. Well operator PT Lapindo Brantas has been struggling since late May to plug the leak but so far to no avail.

"I am hurt because of Lapindo. Why can't they stop the leak? If they can do it soon, I may still be able to salvage the house," Malia, 55, said. Lapindo has moved more than 10,000 people affected by the mud to shelters, including housing many in a newly built market.

Hundreds of wooden cubicles in the Porong Market have been built to shelter those who have fled the mud in place of kiosks meant for vendors.

The cubicles have no ceilings or permanent doors, with each block of cubicles sharing the glow of neon lights hanging from the market's high metal ceiling.

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http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=20289