The trial over the importation of a deadly consignment of Taiwanese toxic waste opened with only two of the seven defendants turning up. They both denied conspiring to import and dump 3,000 tonnes of mercury-laden waste from chemical giant Formosa Plastics. When a port worker died of respiratory illness after unloading the waste, Sihanoukville was gripped by widespread panic and rioting that led to the eventual repacking and export of the consignment.