An elderly person has become the ninth person to die from the toxic sludge disaster in Hungary.
Almost 150 people were injured when a flood of toxic sludge from an alumina plant poured into villages and rivers in the west of the country.
One person remains in a critical condition in hospital, while 44 others are being treated for less serious injuries.
Hungarian authorities said the threat of another chemical spill has been averted and villagers could return home.
Cabinet ministers visited the site of the disaster in Ajka, 160km from Budapest, as officials announced a new dam to contain sludge in a residue reservoir was near completion.
'The new system of dykes is complete: there will be no more catastrophes,' said Tibor Dobson, the head of the regional disaster relief services.
