A massive fish die-off in Brazil's Sao Paulo state has been linked to illegal wastewater dumping by a sugar and ethanol plant, devastating local biodiversity.
Andre Penner and Eléonore Hughes report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Environmental authorities estimate 10-20 tons of fish died on the Piracicaba River.
- The waste was allegedly discharged from Estiva’s Sao Jose plant, impacting the river and surrounding protected area.
- Investigations are ongoing, with potential civil and criminal charges against the company.
Key quote:
"It will take years for the environment to recover."
— Adriano Queiroz, director of licensing at Sao Paulo’s environmental agency
Why this matters:
This incident highlights the severe impact of industrial pollution on ecosystems, endangering biodiversity and local communities reliant on the river.
