On Monday, August 4, a large-scale sanitation operation cleared hundreds of decomposing chicken carcasses from a commercial site in Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
The fish market had been illegally converted into a cold storage facility without meeting required health standards, creating a dangerous source of infection for the surrounding community.
Under the watchful eyes of the Republican Police, a team clad in protective gear worked steadily amid suffocating conditions to remove the decaying poultry.
A dump truck, engine running, waited to transport the carcasses away from the scene. The operation brought relief to local residents, who had endured several days of an overpowering and nauseating stench.
“We couldn’t live here anymore. The smell was unbearable. Finally, we’ll be able to breathe!” a nearby resident told Bip Radio, expressing the gratitude of many affected by the ordeal.
Officials from the Ministry of Livestock and Living Environment supervised the removal process, enforcing strict health protocols and setting up a security perimeter to keep onlookers at a safe distance.
Initial reports suggest the chickens had been stored for weeks, possibly months, in a malfunctioning cold room. The failure of the facility’s management to intervene sooner contributed to the severe health hazard that developed.
To mitigate further risks, the carcasses were transported directly to the Solid Waste Management Company’s (SGDS) incineration plant, ensuring the destruction of potentially harmful bacteria and pathogens.
At present, there has been no official statement regarding any legal proceedings against the operators of the fish market. However, the incident highlights the urgent need for compliance with food safety standards to protect public health in Benin’s growing urban areas.
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