Environmental Catastrophe: Mass Fish Die-Off in Sao Paulo's Piracicaba River

An extensive fish die-off has struck the Piracicaba River in Brazil's Sao Paulo state after alleged illegal industrial waste dumping by a sugar and ethanol plant, environmental authorities and prosecutors reported Wednesday.

Initial estimates by Sao Paulo's prosecutors suggest that between 10 and 20 tons of fish have perished. The investigation indicates that an "irregular discharge of wastewater" from Estiva's Sao Jose plant in Rio das Pedras flowed into the river.

Environmental agency director Adriano Queiroz stressed that the ecological ramifications are severe, pointing to the immense biodiversity loss. The river, part of the protected Tanqua area, saw stretches littered with floating fish corpses. Prosecutors are preparing a full report on water conditions for further civil and criminal actions. The company involved may face substantial fines.

(With inputs from agencies.)