Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP / Getty Images
A river in Argentina, the Sarandí Canal near Buenos Aires, turned blood red on Thursday (February 6), causing panic among local residents. Many feared the phenomenon was a Biblical omen. Residents reported waking up to a foul odor around 5:30 a.m. and were shocked to see the waterway's eerie discoloration. Maria Ducomls, a local resident, described the scene to the Associated Press, saying, "It looked like a river of blood; we have never seen it like this."
The Buenos Aires Ministry of Environment quickly responded by dispatching a team to collect water samples. Initial reports suggest that the discoloration might be due to an organic dye spill. A government source indicated that the spill could have originated from a nearby factory or warehouse.
The Sarandí Canal is located near Villa Inflamable, an area known for its tanneries and other industries that use chemicals like aniline, a toxic substance used in dyes. Officials suspect this substance might be responsible for the river's color change. The municipality of Avellaneda has filed a complaint with the province's Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services, which will lead an investigation.
This incident follows a report indicating a 30 percent increase in toxic spills in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area over the last two years. At least four incidents have been reported in the last 15 days, raising concerns about environmental safety in the region. The investigation into the cause of the river's discoloration is ongoing, with officials promising to take appropriate measures once the source is confirmed.
