October is supposed to be the busiest month of the year for Lim Chae-ho's vineyards and rice fields in the southern part of South Korea.
In a normal year, the 50-year-old farmer would be in the midst of harvesting the crops he had spent months cultivating. But a toxic leak from an explosion at a chemical plant in the nearby city of Gumi two weeks ago has left him empty handed.
"Grapes and rice crops are withered and cannot be sold," Lim said over the phone.
"All our neighbors are affected," he said. "My neighbor's 60 cows are drooling and their noses are running with snot and blood. They are refusing to eat."
Thousands of people in the area have been affected by the blast at the chemical factory on September 27, which killed 5 people and injured 18 others at the time.
The exact cause of the explosion, which involved 8 tons of hydrofluoric acid, is still being investigated, according to authorities. But the blast spread toxic vapor from the acid -- which is used for tasks like metal cleaning and rust removal -- across the surrounding area.
In the ensuing days, about 3,200 people have visited hospitals seeking treatment for ailments related to the leak, the city government said Sunday.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/world/asia/south-korea-toxic-leak/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Replies
It's sad, i mean i don't think we give farmers enough credit for all that they do. This farmer doesn't get anything for all the hard-work that he put in. I feel bad for the cows to. I hate that there misarable. I hope they get better like real soon, or they get put down. I also think that people need to be more careful about where there waste goes.
That stinks! I'm sure he lost lots of money and it will be hard to save and get some of that back. I hope the rest of the people are okay and like tina said it's not like any one could've done anything to prevent it just like with our drought and windstorm this summer.
its sad that the farmer was left empty handed with this, but its not like he could control what happened.
I think that this is the work of north korea I think they still have a grudge on the south and I think that it is sick about the animals and humans and i think that all of the sick things should just be shot or put down. Thats how they do it in every other country besides the US.