A leak from a beer factory turned a river blood red in Japan.

Orion Brewery workers were shocked when they discovered the Kochi River had morphed into a red hue, gradually turning purplish around the edges in Okinawa on June 27.

It was later traced back to their processing plant despite superstitious locals and fishermen panicking at the bizarre sight.

Footage shows the sinister red shade of water surrounding a fishing port.

In a statement, Orion Brewery said it apologised for the ‘trouble and worry'.

It said: ‘We believe the leaked cooling water seeped through rainwater gutters into a river, and consequently turned the ocean red.'

The brewery added the water they used for cooling their beers contained a liquid called propylene glycol which was dyed red.

However, it claimed the substance was not dangerous for humans or the marine ecosystem around their factory.

The cause of the leak is still unclear.