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GV Church PAN TO demonstrators lining up with banners in streets of Seveso, Italy
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MVs demonstrators start march holding placards and watched by crowd (4 shots)
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GVs Women demonstrators (2 shots)
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MVs Banners (3 shots)
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GVs PAN Demonstrators marching through streets (2 shots)
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MV PAN Demonstrators with banners
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Initials BB/2001



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: About 2,000 people demonstrated in the northern Italian town of Severso on Friday (8 October) to back their demands for immediate decontamination of the area's disaster zone. They also called for the banning of industrial secrets that could lead to pollution and loss of life.

SYNOPSIS: In July there was an explosion at the town's Swiss-owned Icmesa factory where quantities of cyanide and chlorine were being processed. At the time more than 40 people were treated for skin burns and internal injuries, and more than 730 people were evacuated from the area. Ti could be a year before they can return to their homes. Several pregnant women in the zone had abortions after being warned they could give birth to deformed babies as a result of being exposed to the poisonous fumes.

Since the accident very few people have been allowed near the contaminated area. Several attempts have been made to eradicate the pollution but the workers and people affected by the factory's closure are getting increasingly impatient and are pressing for more positive action. The demonstrators also called on the courts to severely punish those responsible for the accident.