People are being urged to avoid a Christchurch river after a toxic substance is suspected to have caused the death of a large number of fish on Thursday.
Environment Canterbury is warning people to keep away from the Heathcote River/Ōpāwaho in the Connal and Long Sts area and around Cumnor Tce and Garlands Rd while an investigation takes place.
No one should swim or kayak in the river and dogs should be kept away from the water and from any affected wildlife, ECan said.
River fish should also not be eaten.
The source of the discharge was not yet known, but ECan is asking anyone with information to contact it on 0800 765 588.
In a statement, ECan said the deaths were discovered on Thursday.
“We suspect their deaths were caused by a discharge incident but don’t yet know the source of the discharge.”
ECan did not say how many fish were found dead, but it was a “large number”.
-With RNZ
