North Macedonia water poisoning linked to high bacteria levels

A mass poisoning in North Macedonia that has affected hundreds of people during high summer temperatures has been linked to high levels of bacteria in drinking water, prosecutors said Tuesday.

More than 3,100 people have been treated for poisoning symptoms over the last week in the western town of Gostivar. An epidemic was proclaimed there at the weekend.

Police said the director of the local water supply company and two employees were arrested Monday on suspicion of polluting water in Gostivar's pipeline. On Tuesday, the public prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation into three people suspected of serious environmental crimes through pollution of drinking water.

According to the prosecutor's office, the three are suspected of ordering pumps to be installed in a wastewater canal next to a chamber holding drinking water to test water pressure. The office said the pumps worked for more than 20 days until they were discovered on July 16, and that during that period water containing harmful substances entered the main water supply pipeline.

Prosecutors said water sample tests found coliform bacteria, which lives in feces, at nearly 50 times the allowed limit.

Oliver Milanov, director of the national food and veterinary agency, said the agency had received test results from the public health centre on July 13 showing that the water was safe for use. Health authorities said the first cases involving poisoning symptoms were reported on July 14.

The national food and veterinary agency has banned use of the water in the area since Friday. Residents of Gostivar were advised to use bottled water, and the government said it would deliver 50,000 litres of water to the town each day.

The health crisis comes as temperatures have risen above 35C.