ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Demonstrators in Ivory Coast protesting against the dumping of toxic waste in the economic capital Abidjan on Friday attacked and beat up Transport Minister Innocent Kobenan Anaky, an aide said. The attack reflected mounting popular anger over the poisonous waste dumped last month around the lagoon-side city, which has killed seven people. Public outcry forced the resignation of the government of the war-divided West African state last week.
"(Anaky) was beaten up after being pulled out of his car by a crowd demonstrating this morning against the toxic waste ... the protesters burned his car. He is seriously injured," Joel N'Guessan, the vice-president of Anaky's MFA party, said.
The Health Ministry said on Friday the number of people who have died from inhaling noxious fumes from the waste rose to seven. More than 23,000 people have sought treatment at hospitals for vomiting, nausea and breathing difficulties.
The surprise resignation of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny's cabinet injected more uncertainty into an already tangled political outlook for the world's top cocoa producer, which has been split in two since a brief 2002-2003 civil war.
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