France, Aug. 19 -- On 19 August 2006, more than 500 tonnes of harmful substances unloaded from the ship were dumped at 18 sites around Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital. The fumes spread a foul smell across parts of the city, killing 17 people according to the official toll and leaving tens of thousands suffering symptoms of poisoning.

Akouedo, a village of the Ebrie people in the Cocody district, was among the places affected.

The night the waste arrived is still vivid for William Akesse, who was 26 at the time and is now spokesperson for the village chief.

"That night, my wife had had a caesarean section," Akesse said. "I had only just returned from the hospital with her, and it was that very same night that the waste was dumped. We c...