Hungary – (Republic) Red Mud Disaster 2011 Award

Description

The Ajka aluminium plant accident, also known as the Kolontár disaster, occurred on 4 October 2010 in western Hungary, near the town of Ajka. The accident was caused by a rupture in a red mud tank at an alumina plant operated by the company MAL Magyar Alumínium Zrt.

What happened?

Approximately 1 million cubic metres of corrosive red mud (a by-product of aluminium production) leaked from a ruptured dam and flooded the villages of Kolontár, Devecser and Somlóvásárhely.

The mud contained heavy metals and strongly alkaline substances with a pH of around 13, making it highly corrosive.

The flood covered houses, roads and fields, causing serious environmental and health damage.

Consequences

10 people died and over 150 were injured, mainly from chemical burns.

Over 350 homes were destroyed.

The mud spread to the Marcal River, killing all aquatic life and threatening to spread to the Danube.

A state of emergency was declared and the government ordered the clean-up of the area.

Causes and legal consequences

The company MAL Zrt. was accused of failing to take safety precautions.

In 2012, the Hungarian state took over the company.

Several company executives were brought to trial, but the legal process was lengthy.

Clean-up and recovery

Authorities neutralized the alkaline water with gypsum and acid.

Massive clean-up work was carried out to remove contaminated soil and restore the ecosystem.

In the long term, some areas still have problems with soil contamination.

The accident was one of the worst environmental disasters in Hungarian history and attracted significant international attention.

The medal is a Hungarian award of the Ministry of the Interior (Belügyminisztérium). The text on the medal reads “Magyar Köztársaság Belügyminisztériuma”, which means “Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Hungary”.

This medal has been awarded to individuals who participated in the rescue efforts following the 2010 Ajka aluminum plant accident. Following the disaster, several rescue workers, police, fire brigades and civilian volunteers were awarded medals and decorations by the Hungarian government, particularly by the Ministry of the Interior.

Recipients:

• Firefighters and emergency personnel who participated in the clean-up and evacuation.
• Police and military personnel who assisted in disaster management.
• Civilians and volunteers who made extraordinary efforts to save lives and help victims.

The award has a typical ribbon in the Hungarian national colors (red, white and green), which is common for official Hungarian medals. The design with the Hungarian coat of arms and a radiant background means that it is a medal of merit.