TOLTEN, Chile, April 12 (UPI) — Officials in Chile issued a health warning after thousands of dead sardines washed up on the shores of the Queule river.
The Defensa Artesanal Caletas Comuna Tolten shared video of crews attempting to remove piles of sardines from the area.
According to FB Newswire, clean-up crews were working to clear about 700 tons of dead sardines from the river last weekend.
Local media reports that authorities have banned the consumption of sardines for fear of a threat to human life as experts continue to investigate the situation.
Authorities said that the massive piles of dead fish would be moved to an offsite dumping facility.
No explanation has yet been given for the mass deaths although some believe an increased amount of oxygen in the water may have been the cause.
