Toxic Cloud Follows Ukraine Derailment

A train carrying yellow phosphorus derailed in western Ukraine, releasing a cloud of toxic gas into the air over 14 villages. Twenty people were hospitalized and hundreds evacuated on Tuesday, officials said.

Rescuers extinguished a fire that broke out in the highly toxic substance, which can catch fire spontaneously on contact with air at temperatures higher than 104 degrees. It can cause liver damage if consumed.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk, who was at the site, compared the accident to the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in 1986.

"A disaster has happened. After the Chernobyl catastrophe we are dealing with a case that can pose a real threat for our people," said Kuzmuk. "It is an extraordinary event, the consequences of which cannot be predicted."

Of the 11,000 people living in the contaminated area, 815 were evacuated, said Ihor Krol, spokesman for the emergency situations ministry.

The poison cloud produced by the fire contaminated 35 square miles, Krol said. Local residents were advised to stay inside, not to use water from wells, eat vegetables from their gardens or drink the milk produced by their cows.

Phosphorus compounds are chiefly used in fertilizers, although they are important components of pesticides, toothpaste, detergents as well as explosives and fireworks.