Environmental concerns close steel plant

A judge in southern Italy ordered the arrest of eight managers at steelworks plant ILVA after years of legal disputes over the plant's environmental dangers. The judge also ordered a partial shutdown of the plant, causing 2,000 workers to pour into the streets in a protest to the injunctions that could possibly end jobs for thousands. ANSA reported Thursday that Judge Patrizia Todisco ordered the arrest of the plant's owner Emilio Riva, and Nicola Riva, his son, who was also the company chairman until recently. The head of the plant's coke ovens, a former plant director and other managers were also arrested. The plant has been under investigation for more than a decade. Experts have concluded that the plant has caused 386 deaths due to a variety of illnesses since around 2000. The plant produces 30 percent of the country's steel and employs 11,000 workers, ANSA said. Government officials, including environmental minister Corrado Clini, and Nichi Vendola, governor of the Puglia region, met with other officials in Rome Thursday to discuss plans for saving the plant and for cleaning up the environment.