Polluted phosphate water causes death of 150 livestock in Metlaoui
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Approximately 150 sheep and goats died in Metlaoui on Thursday evening.
- Initial investigations suggest the deaths were caused by contaminated water from phosphate washing.
- Authorities are awaiting analysis results to determine the exact cause of the livestock deaths.
A significant loss of livestock has occurred in Metlaoui, where over 150 sheep and goats died on Thursday evening under unclear circumstances. The incident has prompted an immediate response from security services and veterinary officials.
Early hypotheses point towards water contamination as the likely cause. Authorities suspect that wastewater from the process of washing phosphate may have poisoned the water source for the animals. This is a critical concern given the potential environmental and economic impact.
Veterinarians and security services were dispatched to the scene to conduct initial assessments and collect samples for required analyses. The ongoing investigations aim to pinpoint the exact cause, whether it be a disease, poisoning, or other contributing factors. The results of these analyses are crucial for understanding the incident and preventing future occurrences.
The community and authorities await the findings, which are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event and determine accountability if negligence is found.
Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.