Overview

• The Sarandí Stream in Avellaneda, a suburb of Buenos Aires, turned bright red on February 6, alarming residents and officials.
• Locals reported a strong, nauseating smell and have long complained about industrial pollution in the area, which houses tanneries and other factories.
• Authorities suspect the presence of aniline, a toxic chemical used in dyes, but are also investigating the possibility of organic coloring as the cause of the discoloration.
• Residents say the stream has changed colors multiple times in the past, including shades of blue, green, and yellow, often accompanied by oily residues and foul odors.
• The Buenos Aires Environment Ministry has collected water samples for analysis, with results pending as investigations continue into potential industrial contamination.