Antofagasta ecological crisis as alluvium washes waste into the sea

Recent alluvium and heavy rainfall in the Antofagasta region of Chile have triggered an ecological and sanitary crisis. The activation of dry riverbeds (quebradas) has washed massive amounts of illegally dumped waste into the sea, threatening marine and coastal ecosystems.

Biologist Carlos Guerra-Correa reports that the debris includes industrial waste, construction rubble, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceutical products. Of particular concern is the discovery of clandestine animal cemeteries in the riverbeds; the floods have washed animal carcasses into the ocean, raising significant sanitary risks due to the potential spread of bacteria and parasites.

In response to the weather events, educational authorities in the Antofagasta region have left the decision to resume school classes to individual school administrators.