An environmental emergency set off alarms in Medellín, after a liquid detergent spill caused contamination of the La Aguacatala stream in El Poblado.
According to the Corantioquia environmental authority, the incident occurred after the overturning of a tractor-trailer transporting this chemical product, generating a large amount of foam and temporarily affecting the tributary.
The accident occurred in the area of the La Poda roundabout, very close to Loma de Los Balsos, where the vehicle lost control and ended up overturned on the road. As a result of the impact, part of the load fell directly into the ravine.
Immediately, a technical team from Corantioquia arrived at the area to evaluate the spill, contain the advance of the detergent and determine the environmental risks.
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At the same time, the Water Resources Information System (PIRAGUA) began taking samples at different points of the tributary, which will be analyzed to establish the exact magnitude of the contamination.
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Regarding the accident, it was learned that the driver of the tractor-trailer, identified as Alejandro, 34 years old, unfortunately died after the overturn.
The transporter, originally from Bogotá, would have mistakenly entered Loma de Los Balsos (a road restricted for heavy loads) following the instructions of a transportation application, after deviating due to the closure of the Medellín-Bogotá highway due to a landslide.
According to the preliminary report, the steep slope caused the vehicle to lose brakes, run over a motorcycle and a taxi, and finally overturn on a curve, causing the tragedy and environmental damage that is currently under investigation and monitoring.
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