A leak at a factory in Mearca (Merkan) has caused thousands of litres of poisonous chemicals to be released into an important river. Environmentalists predict that the aquatic life in the river will be wiped out and it will take years to recover. The company responsible, AZU Inc., is a major member in the software sector of Mearca (Merkan) and there are worries that a similar incident could happen in their other plants that exist throughout Kirlawa. The company has refused to comment on the issue.