A loud explosion pierced the early morning stillness in Passau, Germany, on July 24, 1996. Pier 2 of the Meinhold Chemical Company became lost in a dark cloud of toxic fumes spewing from a storage area containing over 10,000 tons of industrial waste. The small group of Meinhold firefighters were quickly driven back by the intense heat and the danger of the exploding barrels. The barrels contained lead, zinc, copper, beryllium, cadmium and other industrial waste from manufacturing plants throughout Europe.

From the bridge of the passing Rumanian oil barge, Captain Nikolai Donescu scanned the burning pier and quickly ordered that an emergency radio message be sent. As the exploding barrels became dangerous projectiles arcing through the night sky toward the sailors of the Danube Trader, Captain Donescu had a terrible feeling when he realized that a massive amount of highly toxic industrial waste could permanently damage the Danube River, especially at such a vital point in the river. The Danube River really flexes its muscle around the Passau region, then it leaves Germany, flows through Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Rumania.

Pier 2 of the Meinhold Chemical Storage Company continued to burn, even after twelve hours of intensive fire fighting. It took the firefighters over two days to fully contain the fire. By the time the fire was tamed, Pier 2 was dotted with the charred remains of the storage containers formerly used to store 10,000 tons of industrial waste. The thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant liquids sprayed on the blaze washed into the Danube carrying the industrial waste into the river and downstream to Austria.

The morning after the fire started, the German Government issued the following report: We regret to inform the Danube nations, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Rumania that at 2:10 this morning a fire started in Passau, Germany, on Pier 2 of the Meinhold Chemical Company. This pier is used for storage of industrial waste including lead, zinc, copper, beryllium, cadmium and numerous other by-products of heavy and light industry. It appears that a massive amount–around 10,000 tons–of these waste materials could end up in the Danube. We pledge to keep our downstream neighbors fully informed as we investigate the matter.

Two weeks after the fire, the German government issued this somber report: We are extremely saddened to inform the eight Danube nations that, as a result of the July 24 fire on Pier 2 of the Meinhold Chemical Company, the Danube River from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary, appears to be biologically comatose, as it has lost approximately 85 percent of all aquatic life, and 60 percent of bird life. From Budapest, Hungary, to Silistra, Bulgaria, the river has lost approximately 65 percent of all aquatic life and 30 percent of all bird life. In addition, large traces of the types of industrial waste lost in the fire have been measured in the Black Sea over 110 kilometers southeast of the Rumanian-Bulgarian border.

The Danube River, at this time, is unable to safely accommodate even minimal boat and barge traffic. In addition, the German Government advises that water from the Danube downstream of Passau, Germany, not be used for human or animal consumption of any kind, under any circumstances until further studies have been completed.

Finally, the German government encourages all of our Danube neighbors to begin a three week moratorium on all boat and barge traffic on the Danube River. In summary, the fire at Pier 2 of the Meinhold Chemical Company is the worst and most severe case of industrial waste pollution.

Franz Meinhold, President, Meinhold Chemical Company

• To represent the best interests of Meinhold Chemical Company and to improve the public image of the company.
• To minimize the amount of money Meinhold Chemical Company will pay for clean-up of industrial waste and damages to the Danube River.
• To remain competitive as a chemical manufacturing and storage company.

Henric Geschler, German Government Official

• To determine if safety regulations were met by Meinhold Chemical Company.
• To determine who is responsible for the fire and the clean-up of the Danube River.
• To determine what fines and penalties (if any) Meinhold Chemical Company will pay.
• To keep the Danube nations fully informed of all potential hazards resulting from the catastrophe.

Jana Jarocek, Czechoslovakian Environmental Activist

• To preserve the environment.
• To fight for stiffer regulations for producing, storing and transporting hazardous chemicals.
• To improve the water quality of the Danube River for future generations.

Jeremy Bellows, United Nations Environmental Agency

• To determine who is responsible for the catastrophe.
• To use diplomacy in order to get the Danube nations to work together to limit the chances of a similar catastrophe happening in the future.
• To recommend possible solutions to the United Nations General Assembly.

Kerstin Sachs, Austrian Ministry of Public Health

• To determine the extent of damage to the Danube River and citizens along the river.
• To issue health warnings.
• To monitor short-term and long-term effects to the environment.

Captain Nikolai Donescu, Rumanian River Boat Captain

• To make a living on the river moving cargo along the Danube.
• To protect the health and safety of his crew and ship.
• To enforce all health and safety regulations imposed on commercial shipping on the Danube River (or face costly fines).