More dead pigs found floating in river

Despite pledges on water safety by Shanghai authorities, public concerns remain after reports that another 300 dead pigs were found floating in the upper Songjiang section of the Huangpu River.

Xu Rong, head of Songjiang district's environment department, told online portal xinmin.cn that on Sunday morning 300 pig carcasses were retrieved by local authorities.

Twelve boats are working to retrieve the carcasses, which will be treated for potential biohazards, Xu said.

Since Thursday, dozens of dead pigs have been found in the upper Songjiang section of the Huangpu River. By Sunday, more than 1,200 pig carcasses had been retrieved.

The river is also the tap water source for some Shanghai residents.

Officials from water authorities in Shanghai said the drinking water in the Songjiang area has not been affected and meets safety standards. The water is being closely monitored. Immediate measures will be taken if any emergency is found, officials said.

Songjiang district is also carrying out tests on the water's E. coli and other bacteria.

In a bid to ensure the safety of the tap water, Shanghai's environmental protection and water supply departments have worked together to test the quality of the water and disinfect the water.

The Shanghai Agriculture Committee said no reports of animal epidemic outbreaks have been received in the city.

Local residents continued to express concern over the safety of the water.

"Is this water still drinkable after dead pigs were found floating in it?" said 60-year-old Liu Wanqing. "The government has a responsibility to conduct a thorough investigation and provide safe water to residents."

A netizen with the username Liuxijunyan wrote: "Where are these dead pigs from? If so many pigs were thrown into the river there must be something wrong with them. Why were they were thrown away? Maybe they were sick or dead."