Ivory Coast has begun a cleanup operation in Abidjan to remove hundreds of tons of improperly disposed toxic waste that killed six people and sickened thousands.
Waste removal experts began working Sunday to recover the material from several locations in the city. The operation is expected to last several weeks.
Investigators say the waste was dumped in as many as 14 open-air sites around the city. An Ivorian company named Tommy was blamed for dumping the material. A Dutch company said it turned the waste over to Tommy for disposal.
Health officials said they have treated more than 25,000 people for symptoms linked to the waste.
Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny replaced the ministers of transport and environment because of the toxic waste scandal.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.