Alarm raised over bird deaths at Lake Karla

Environmentalists have raised the alarm over the deaths of dozens of birds, including endangered species, at Lake Karla in Thessaly, central Greece, which has been suffering from low water levels and a lack of replenishment.

Experts say the cause of the deaths could possibly be toxic bacteria which thrive in dry conditions, while the Hellenic Ornithological Society has urged authorities to take action.

The lake was drained in 1962 in order to prevent floods and mosquitoes, but it led to serious damage to surrounding ecosystems.

In 2010, a project was launched to divert water from the Pineios River but has yet to be completed, keeping water levels dangerously low.