A United Nations human rights investigator on Thursday called for Ivory Coast to fully probe toxic waste unloaded by a ship, saying it should lead to prosecutions of those responsible and compensation for victims.
The statement was issued by Okechkwu Ibeanu, U.N. special rapporteur on adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights.
Ivory Coast’s Health Ministry said nearly 16,000 people had been made ill by fumes from the Panamanian-registered ship’s poisonous fuel slops, deposited at open-air sites around the economic capital, Abidjan, in August. Six people have died.