Victims block work at Indonesia's 'mud volcano'

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

JAKARTA (AFP) — Hundreds of residents protested near Indonesia's disastrous "mud volcano" on Tuesday to mark one year since its toxic sludge started submerging their homes and farms.

The protesters stood in the path of trucks bringing material to strengthen embankments built around the volcano, halting work for six hours, residents and an official said.

The embankments were constructed after the volcano started spewing hot mud in a massive flow which engulfed villages and factories near Indonesia's second city of Surabaya, in eastern Java.

"Today we stopped all mud management work. We have been suffering for one year because of bad management," a protester who gave his name as Ali said.

"Why (try to) contain the mud if it keeps leaking?" he was...