When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Green Or Gone

Polluted Pink Lake In Argentina Has Now Turned Red

Locals in the coastal Argentine district of Trelew say a fish processing plant has turned a nearby lake into a cesspit that left its waters pink this past summer, and now the situation has grown darker.

An aerial view of the new darker color

An aerial view of the lake turned red

CHUBUT — Back in July, Argentine authorities had told people in Trelew, in the coastal province of Chubut, not to worry — a local lake that had turned pink, likely by chemicals, would soon be fine again. But instead, it has now turned red — or a kind of red-to-purple violet — as the daily Jornada de Chubut reported.

And again, locals don't know why.

October 1 drone video of the lake, now turned a deeper red hue

Effluents may be to blame

The chief suspect is the effluents from a nearby fish firm, RASA, according to the Buenos Aires newspaper Clarín. In July residents of Trelew denounced the stench of the effluents entering the lake over two years, and the insects and vermin they attracted, and were evidently dissatisfied when Juan Michelou, a senior provincial environmental officer, said "it'll pass, the lake will recover its normal color within days."

The pink color was attributed to preservatives used for prawns.

The pollution provoked a row between Trelew and the neighboring town of Rawson, where RASA (Rawson Ambiental Sociedad Anónima) is based; but Michelou told its residents Trelew had signed an agreement, and effectively accepted the effluents. A Public Works official in Trelew said that was a lie, and "it's ridiculous to minimize this... as if it were normal... they're pouring in untreated liquids, without us knowing."

photo of the lake in July when it was pink

The lake in July when it first turned pink.

images.opoyi.net


The original pink color was attributed to preservatives used for prawns. Clarín sought to contact Michelou to find what the red might be, but was told by staff "he's taken a few days off."

RASA in any case stopped dumping its prawn waste into the lake after July - and decided to pour it into the sea instead, which further angered locals. Now it is even less clear why, without the toxic prawn cocktail, the lake has turned violet red.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

Pride Or Politics? Why Poland Suddenly Turned Its Back On Ukraine

Poland has taken President Zelensky's criticism at the UN very badly, and has decided to not supply new arms to Ukraine. One man in the Kremlin couldn't be more pleased.

photo in front of flags Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Happier times: Polish President Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lutsk, Ukraine, in July

Jakub Szymczuk / Kprm handout/via ZUMA
Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Who could have imagined that the weakest link in support of Ukraine would be Poland? Since the start of Russia's invasion, Warsaw's commitment to Kyiv has been unwavering — initially driven above all by its unbound hostility towards Moscow.

That steadfast support of its neighbor is over now, and in a big way.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

Sign up to our free daily newsletter.

The announcement in Warsaw that Polish arms deliveries to Ukraine were to be halted stunned all, and was accompanied by derogatory statements by Polish President Andrzej Duda towards Ukraine's leaders. He compared Ukraine to a desperate drowning man who would drag down those who tried to save him. Duda was also considered the most reasonable of the Polish populists — so that's the mood.

Poland had shown itself to be uncompromising in its support for Ukraine, and had even given lessons to more timid European countries on several occasions.

So why the U-turn? First of all, there are difficult general elections in Poland on October 15, and it's clear that the Law and Justice Party (PiS) in power in Warsaw will do everything possible to win.

Keep reading... Show less

The latest