Authorities in Côte d’Ivoire have issued a warning to residents in the Lakota department to avoid consuming water from the Niounourou River.

The advisory follows reports of toxic substances being dumped into a section of the river, which flows through several villages in the region. The contamination has led to the death of numerous fish species, raising concerns about the river’s safety for human use.

The sub-prefect of the area has confirmed the presence of toxic contamination and urged residents to refrain from drinking the water or consuming any products sourced from the river. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.