Mass Fish Deaths Plague Lam River in Vietnam; Sugar Factory Spill Under Investigation

The tranquil waters of the Lam River in Anh Son commune, Nghe An province, have been disturbed by a devastating fish kill, leaving local aquaculture farmers in shock and distress. For over a decade, these farmers have relied on the river's bounty, never before witnessing such a catastrophic event. The sudden death of an estimated 7 tons of fish, including valuable species like carp and grass carp, represents a significant economic blow to the 15 households affected, many of whom had nurtured their stock for two to three years in preparation for harvest.

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Ngày 4.5, thông tin từ UBND xã Anh Sơn (Nghệ An) cho biết, sáng cùng ngày, nhiều hộ dân nuôi cá lồng bè trên sông Lam của xã này phát hiện cá chết bất thường với số lượng rất lớn.

The scale of the die-off is unprecedented in the region's aquaculture history, prompting immediate concern and action from local authorities. The People's Committee of Anh Son commune has reported the incident to relevant agencies, which have begun collecting water and fish samples for laboratory analysis. The goal is to pinpoint the exact cause of this ecological disaster and prevent future occurrences.

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Đây là hiện tượng bất thường vì người nuôi cá cho biết, hơn 10 năm qua, kể từ khi họ nuôi cá lồng bè trên đoạn sông này chưa từng xảy ra việc cá chết hàng loạt.

Adding a layer of complexity to the investigation is a recent incident involving a nearby sugar factory in Nhan Hoa commune. A lightning strike during a severe storm on May 3 caused a molasses storage tank at the factory to rupture, releasing approximately 20,000 liters of molasses into the environment. While the factory is located about 20 kilometers upstream from the affected fish farms, the potential environmental impact of such a large spill cannot be ignored. Authorities are closely monitoring the factory's cleanup efforts, with about 70% of the spilled molasses reportedly recovered.

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Theo thống kê bước đầu, có khoảng 7 tấn cá của 15 hộ dân bị chết.

This event underscores the delicate balance between industrial activity and environmental health in Vietnam. While the investigation is ongoing, the community anxiously awaits answers, hoping for a swift resolution that not only addresses the immediate crisis but also reinforces environmental protection measures along the Lam River. The loss of livelihood for these fish farmers serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of industrial pollution, even when seemingly distant.

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UBND xã Anh Sơn đã báo cáo cơ quan chức năng đến lấy mẫu nước, mẫu cá để xét nghiệm, tìm nguyên nhân khiến cá chết.