Authorities investigate pigs found dead along river

Local authorities have initiated an emergency response after the magazine China Comment reported that many dead pigs were found along the Yellow River in Ordos in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Sunday.

Dalad Banner's public security department has launched an investigation, according to a statement issued by the local government on Sunday evening.

"Epidemic control workers from the local agriculture and animal husbandry department have collected samples of the dead pigs after dissecting them," a local official said. "Due to limitations in the depth of the banner's examination, the samples will be sent to relevant institutions in Ordos.

"Because there were no monitoring devices installed in the area, local police are searching for clues by going door to door in the nearby villages."

Meanwhile, an epidemiological investigation has been carried out.

According to the China Comment report, at least 26 dead pigs were found scattered along a 30-kilometer bank on the Yellow River. Some were in the river.

Most were adult pigs weighing over 100 kilograms.

With the weather warming up, the dead pigs had started to decay.

Workers have collected all the pigs, which may be incinerated or disinfected and buried.

Comprehensive disinfection has been conducted, the statement said.