Hundreds of fish dead in German river after molasses spill; police investigate

An environmental incident has led to the death of hundreds of fish in the Schwartau river in northern Germany. The die-off occurred after more than 100 liters of sugar beet molasses leaked from the premises of a feed manufacturer near Techau in the Ostholstein district.

Police have launched investigations into suspected water pollution and potential violations of animal welfare laws. Witnesses discovered numerous dead fish in the river on Saturday morning. The affected area is located in close proximity to the feed manufacturer's facility.

Authorities and environmental investigators examined the river, collecting water samples and measuring oxygen levels. They found a significant decrease in the water's oxygen saturation. Preliminary findings suggest that the molasses entered the river during the night between Friday and Saturday, likely during a production process. This influx is believed to have drastically lowered the oxygen content, causing the fish to die. Investigators are currently working to determine precisely how the molasses escaped from the production facilities into the waterway.