Dominican Port Town Sues Power Firm Over Toxic Dump

November 7, 2009 7:06 a.m. EST

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (AHN) - Residents of a port town in the Dominican Republic have filed a lawsuit against a U.S. firm before a Delaware court seeking compensation for the ill-effects of toxic coal ash it dumped near their community six years ago.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by residents of Arroyo Barril against Virginia-based AES Corp. blamed the firm's coal ash for their deformed newborns and sickness. They cited babies born without arms, with two heads and with misshapen faces.

The seven complainants named in the suit are seeking unspecified compensation and a medical check of their community.

The Dominican government had sued AES, which paid $6 million to clean up the toxic dump.