Sandhill residents call for the removal of rotting carcasses in the village

Last week, we brought you the story of the meat truck that caught fire in Sandhill Village, Belize District, while carrying more than a thousand pounds of pork and beef. The vehicle was destroyed and the burnt carcasses remained at the scene. Now, the story has taken another turn. Residents say the carcasses have since been dumped along a Belize Electricity Limited hydro line, where they have been left to decompose, creating what they describe as a serious nuisance. Reporter Paul Diaz has the story.

Paul Diaz, Love News: The smell is impossible to ignore. A short distance off the roadside beneath a Belize Electricity Limited powerline burnt animal carcasses lie scattered across the ground. There are believed to be the same remains from the meat truck that caught fire in Sandhill Village last week. Yesterday, Love News received a report from the concerned residents. Today, one of them took us to the location. What we found were decomposing animal carcasses surrounded by flies, vultures, with a stench that hangs over the area. Concerned resident Alejandro Morales shared he lives nearby, the smell has become part of everyday life, and they are concerned about what it could mean for their health and for the environment. 

Alejandro Moralez, Sandhill Resident: “Two days ago I have a farm right up and I came by normally I come and check in and when I passed here it was a horrible, the scent was crazy and when I checked the amount of carcasses that were down there I realized it was the same carcass from the truck that caught fire. And I was surprised this was happening right here. I mean this I believe they should have discarded this properly, probably buried it but not just throw it right here in the opening and the scent is unbearable. I mean it’s a little ways from where I live but like right now the breeze is blowing from the north which is not pushing it toward our area but normally it’s from the east which would send the scene and the stench right where I live. This is right under the hydro line actually. This is the hydro line right here and this is about on a straight line less than half a mile from the highway. Right across this jungle here which is about five hundred meters we would have families that would be the first that would get the worst of it.”

Paul Diaz, Love News: Other residents noted that the carcasses should have never been dumped there adding that families should not have to live with the smell or the possible health risk that come with rotting animal remains. After our visit to the site, Love News contacted the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, which has the responsibility for animal health and food safety matters. In a statement, the authority says it was aware of last Friday’s truck fire and visited the scene the same day. According to BAHA before leaving the site it was agreed that the owner off the truck would dispose of the carcasses by burying them under police supervision. The authority says it was not aware that this had not been done. Following Love New’s report BAHA says it’s officers returned to disposal site and now working with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to determine the most appropriate way to deal with the carcasses. The authority acknowledged the situation as a public health concern and says the relevant agencies are working together to have it resolved as quickly as possible.