A river in China was filled with foam after a detergent spillage.

River

River

Video footage shows the water in the Shitou river covered in thick layers of bubbles.

According to local media, more than 20 barrels of detergent spilt after a traffic accident, causing the laundry product to flow into the river.

Environmental officials said that four tonnes of sulfonic acid had entered the water, but reassured locals that it was ''not harmful'' and that it would ''dissolve quickly''.

They also denied media reports that locals had been spotted playing in the river, adding that the detergent can cause skin and eye irritation and lead to serious burns in some cases.