Hundreds of Tons of Fish Die from Possible Plant Leak

Around 410 tons of fish raised in pens died unexpectedly in Can Tho City during the past few days dealing a huge financial blow to local farmers while authorities suspect an industrial leak as the culprit.

The incident spread 22 km along the Hau River in Thot Not district’s Thoi Thuan commune. Initial estimates put the damage at VND6 billion.

“They [30 tons of red snappers] are healthy but suddenly died off on June 28. We have invested over VND700 million”, Mr. Tran Hoang Anh told Sai Gon Giai Phong, apparently not recovered from the shock.

Only 300m away, Ms. Vo Thi Tu Trinh’s white butterfish also died.

Similarly, Mr. Dao Thanh Tung lost 16 tons of butterfish in three pens. Now he has to sell all for VND6,500 per kg, a mere 46% of their worth.

On midnight June 27, a reservoir belonging to a private firm leaked liquid used to produce alcohol into the river, which could result in a chemical reaction releasing massive CO2 killing off all the fish nearby.

Nguyen Minh Toai, deputy chairman of the district People’s Committee told Sai Gon Giai Phong experts are investigating and if the leak is indeed found to be the cause, the company has to compensate farmers and face possible criminal prosecution. (Sai Gon GP)