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Toxic fuel leak reported in Russian Far East

Friday, 16 June 2000 12:58 (ET)

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, June 16 (UPI) -- A toxic fuel leak from a ballistic missile has poisoned a number of servicemen in the Russian Far East and may threaten the general population, officials at Russia's Pacific Fleet said Friday.

The toxic leak formed a cloud that hovered over villages near the port of Nakhodka, northeast of Vladivostok, which is a city of half a million and the base of the Pacific Fleet.

According to the Russian Navy's spokesman, the leak occurred while the missile was being unloaded from a warship at a repair base used to overhaul nuclear submarines.

A large amount of fuel from the missile spilt out and reacted with the air, forming the toxic cloud containing nitric acid. At least four sailors were hospitalized with skin and lung problems, while one unconfirmed report said 11 people have been affected by the toxic cloud.

Residents of the town of Fokino were warned in a local radio announcement to firmly close all windows and stay indoors until the cloud dissipates.

Varying local news agency reports said the leaking missile was either a two-stage RS-29 capable of carrying a nuclear payload, or a RSM-50 intercontinental ballistic missile.

-- Copyright 2000 by United Press International. --

http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=94720

-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), June 16, 2000