Bright Red Canal in Buenos Aires Stuns Residents and Sparks Environmental Concerns

Authorities are investigating the cause while residents express longstanding worries about industrial waste contamination in the area.

A canal in a suburb of Buenos Aires turned a startling bright red on Thursday, alarming the local community. Visuals capturing the surreal color showed the water flowing towards the Rio de la Plata estuary, near an ecological reserve. Local authorities are probing the phenomenon, with initial reports indicating the possibility that textile dye or chemical waste from nearby factories might be the culprits.

The Environment Ministry is actively analyzing water samples from the Sarandí canal to ascertain the exact reason for the color change. By late afternoon, there were indications that the vivid color was beginning to fade, as reported by AFP news agency.

Residents voiced their concerns, claiming that many businesses adjacent to the waterway dispose of hazardous waste. The Sarandí canal traverses an area populated with leather processing and textile factories, situated approximately 10 kilometers from the city's core.

A local resident named Silvia detailed her experiences to C5N, noting the recurring color changes of the water. "Although it is red today, we’ve seen it yellow with an unsettling acidic smell that makes us feel sick," she remarked, emphasizing her proximity to the stream. Another resident, Maria Ducomls, echoed similar concerns, stating that the water has appeared in various colors over time, including shades of blue, green, pink, and lilac, often accompanied by a greasy residue on the surface.

As concerns mount, authorities and experts are on high alert regarding the environmental implications of this incident in Buenos Aires.