Ukraine, Kiev / corr Trend Z.Novosvitskiy / The delivery of yellow phosphorus via the territory of Ukraine was banned until the completion of an investigation into the reason of the incident which occurred on a train in the Lvov Region.
Nikolay Rudkovskiy, the Russian Minister for Transport and Communications, said that they are also taking such measures regarding any other dangerous cargo. A decision was also made not to allow several trains carrying dangerous cargo to be stationed all in the same station at any given time.
Rudkovskiy said that the cisterns loaded with phosphorus belonging to the company Kazfosfat had cracked. These cisterns were produced in 1978 and have therefore been in use for 24 years. The Institute of Kazakhstan had been operating the cisterns well past their expiry date. In addition, the valves of some of the cisterns which were regulating the pressure were overheated. The water surface above the phosphorus is presently being inspected. Rudkovskiy stated that it is too early to discuss the outcome or cause of the accident. Technical investigations into the case are in progress and all avenues are being followed.
The Minister said that the Ukrainian Communications Ministry must ensure that the safe delivery of the unaffected phosphorus cisterns to Kazakhstan.
Rudkovskiy does not see any reason to resign in connection with the incident.