Mary Bowerman

USA TODAY Network

Shocking images posted on social media show a river in Russia that mysteriously turned a vibrant red color, ABC reports.

Images of the red-colored Daldykan River were taken near the Arctic city of Norilsk, in the Kransnoyarsk region, according to The Siberian Times.

Alarmed locals believe the red color is likely from a large smelting factory upstream, ABC reported, citing local accounts.

The Siberian Times reported locals allege that this is not the first time the river has turned a strange color.

The Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, which is owned by Norilsk Nickel, said it is currently testing the water, but will not confirm whether industrial runoff had leaked into the river, according to The Siberian Times.

The news organization said the plant processes nickel concentrate.

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