Polluted river creates toxic foam that covers many houses, spills onto roads in Colombia

Layers of polluted foam invade a residential area in Mosquera, Colombia – Photo: REUTERS

Foam created by a polluted river in the Colombian capital Botaga is covering many homes and businesses, spilling onto the streets in some areas. Many people had to leave their homes.

“The smell was terrible and we had to fight with this foam for a long time. It was very dangerous, if someone fell in it we wouldn’t be able to find them,” the newspaper said. Guardian quoted Luz Mariela Gómez, a local community leader, as saying.

Foam from the polluted river was carried by the wind across the roads and covered houses in the suburban area of ​​Mosquera. A road leading to the school here is completely blocked.

Colombian authorities said that people dumped waste, chemicals and detergents into the river, combined with heavy rains, creating a white foam. Mr. Gian Gerometta, leader of the Mosquera area, said that pollution was also partly caused by factories along the river.

Foam from the polluted river flies everywhere – Photo: REUTERS

Authorities have warned people not to go near the contaminated foam that could cause allergies or breathing problems.

“It’s important to keep children away because we don’t fully know what the foam is yet. We will monitor and clean the entire river to prevent further foam from building up,” Edwin Garcia, an environmental official with the Colombian government, told local radio Caracol.

People are warned to stay away from these toxic foams – Photo: REUTERS