Sulphuric acid spills into Zimbabwe river

Sulphuric acid spills into Zimbabwe river

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By Staff Reporter

A TRAIN has derailed in Zimbabwe's south-western city of Gwanda spilling 40 000 litres of a deadly combination of sulphuric acid, fertiliser and diesel into the Mtshabezi River which feeds the Mtshabezi Dam -- Gwanda town's main water supplier.

The train run by the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Railway Company (BBR) was approaching a level crossing three kilometers outside Gwanda town early Wednesday morning when, according to police, 14 of the 36 wagons came off the rails.

BBR manager Alex Sibanda said the company had engaged environmentalists to neutralise the acid which threatens thousands of families along the Mtshabezi River and also Gwanda town residents.

There were no injuries, according to the state-run Herald newspaper. The remains of crumpled metal were still on the track late Thursday, blocking the railway line connecting Bulawayo and South Africa.

When 13, 000L of sulphuric acid spilled into a Canadian lake in March 2000, it settled at a central location 85 feet deep. The lake and surrounding streams were treated with lime and soda. After the pumping of the acid and neutralization had ended, it was found that water life still existed. The area of travel and settlement for the sulphuric acid turned brown.
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