Residents Alarmed as Buenos Aires Canal Turns Bright Red

A canal in a Buenos Aires suburb transformed to a striking red hue, sparking fears among residents. Experts suspect industrial waste is responsible, prompting investigations by the Environment Ministry.

A suburban canal in Buenos Aires, known as the Sarandí, has turned a shocking shade of red, leaving local residents both alarmed and concerned for their health and environment. The unusual coloring was observed on Thursday, with numerous photos and videos circulating online, depicting the eerie scene as the water flows toward the nearby Rio de la Plata estuary, adjacent to an ecological reserve.

Initial reports from local media suggest that the vivid red color may stem from the illicit dumping of textile dyes, or possibly from hazardous chemicals released from local industrial operations. Responding to the crisis, Argentina's Environment Ministry announced it has collected water samples from the Sarandí canal to investigate the origins of the controversial coloration.

By late Thursday afternoon, it was reported that the intensity of the red color had begun to fade. However, residents living near the canal have expressed long-standing issues with industrial waste contaminating their water source. Silvia, a local woman, noted to news outlet C5N that while the water appeared red today, it has exhibited a range of different hues on other occasions—ranging from yellow to green, sometimes even producing a pungent, acidic smell.

Many community members, including resident Maria Ducomls, claimed that industries nearby frequently dump waste into the canal, resulting in various alarming colors and layers of grease visible on the surface. Their testimonies paint a disturbing picture of ongoing ecological harm due to industrial negligence.