Truck carrying salmon waste overturns in southern Chile, sparking concern over disposal practices.
A truck transporting salmon viscera overturned early Friday morning on Chile’s Route 5 South, near the northern Llanquihue toll booth, causing significant congestion and raising questions about the handling of fish farming waste.
According to local media, the accident left salmon by-products scattered across the road and led to hours of cleanup before one lane of traffic could be reopened.
Senator Fidel Espinoza used the incident to call for clarity on where salmon waste is being disposed of in the region. He questioned whether municipalities in the province are directing aquaculture by-products to landfills intended for household waste.
“I respectfully ask Mayor Gárate of Puerto Varas and the Association of Municipalities of the Province of Llanquihue whether or not it is true that, through subterfuge, they are depositing waste in La Laja,” Espinoza said, according to Fresia Ahora. “Although it seems that this damaged truck was going to another destination, I have received information that is quite serious and must be clarified urgently.”
The senator warned that if salmon farming waste is being diverted to household landfills, it would amount to a subsidy of the industry and present environmental concerns. He called on the Association of Municipalities to provide an immediate explanation.
Cleanup crews completed work later on Friday morning to remove the viscera from the roadway.
SoyChile first reported the incident.
