River Near Buenos Aires Turns Blood Red, Residents Alarmed by Pollution

ARArgentina|

A stream on the outskirts of Buenos Aires has turned an alarming shade of red, disturbing local residents who attributed the change to pollution. The Sarandi Canal, located in Avellaneda, approximately six miles from the Argentine capital's center, released a putrid odor that woke inhabitants early on Thursday morning.

Maria Ducomls, a long-time resident, described the scene, stating, "It looked like a river covered in blood, it’s horrible," according to AFP. Another resident noted the river has previously exhibited unusual colors, indicating ongoing pollution issues. The Ministry of the Environment for the province of Buenos Aires responded by collecting water samples to investigate the cause, suggesting the presence of an "organic dye" linked to local textile and hide processing factories.

The discoloration faded by late afternoon, but locals remain concerned about the ongoing environmental impact, lamenting the visible pollution in the Sarandi River, which has seen various contaminations over the years.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Argentina

7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Chile and Argentina Coasts

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor, which occurred early this afternoon, was followed by two suspected aftershocks. The epicenter of the quake was located in the Pacific Ocean, with significant impact reported in nearby coastal areas. Authorities have yet to assess the full extent of damage or report any casualties. Evacuations and safety measures are being taken as communities brace for possible aftershocks. Local emergency services are on high alert following the seismic event, with the National Seismological Center monitoring the situation closely. Given the region's history of seismic activity, officials are urging residents to stay prepared and follow safety protocols in the aftermath of the earthquake. The earthquake's timing and location have prompted discussions about preparedness in seismic-prone areas, particularly in light of the recent series of quakes affecting the region.
ARArgentina

Infamous 'Death Flight' Plane Returned to Argentina’s ESMA Museum

A Skyvan PA-51 aircraft, historically used by Argentina’s military dictatorship to carry out "death flights" during the 1970s, has been returned to Buenos Aires and is now on display at the ESMA museum. This plane was discovered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2008 by journalist Miriam Lewin and Italian photographer Giancarlo Ceraudo, shedding light on the regime's methods of terror, which included dropping alleged dissidents from the aircraft into the South Atlantic Ocean. The military dictatorship, responsible for the disappearance of up to 30,000 people during the Dirty War, utilized these flights to eliminate evidence of their crimes, according to Lewin, a former political prisoner herself. The plane reportedly logged evidence linking it to several death flights, and the identification of its pilots led to life sentences for those involved in these atrocities in 2017. The Skyvan’s return is part of Argentina’s ongoing efforts to confront its past. The ESMA museum now serves as a memorial for the victims and as an educational space for future generations about the horrors of state terrorism.
ARArgentina

Plane Used for Argentina's "Death Flights" Discovered in Florida and Returned Home

A Skyvan PA-51 aircraft, notorious for its use in Argentina's military dictatorship during the "Dirty War," has been returned to Buenos Aires after being located in Florida. The plane had been utilized for "death flights," where alleged dissidents were sedated and then thrown from the aircraft into the South Atlantic Ocean, a grim method implemented to eliminate evidence of the dictatorship's crimes, as recounted by journalist Miriam Lewin, who survived imprisonment under the regime. The plane was found in 2008 by Lewin and Italian photographer Giancarlo Ceraudo at a skydiving facility in Fort Lauderdale. Unaware of its dark history, the facility’s owners provided vital logs connecting the aircraft to various death flights, including one that coincidentally helped identify victims later recovered along the Argentine coast. In June 2023, the Skyvan was officially returned to Argentina and is now displayed at ESMA, a museum dedicated to the victims of the military coup, signifying a significant step in confronting past atrocities.
ARArgentina