Tonnes of fish in Thanh Hoa Province's Hai Binh Commune mysteriously died after a heavy rain on July 23, putting local farmers in difficulties.

Farmers suffer from sudden fish death

By the end of the next day, not only the fish on the farms of 10 local families died, but also fish in streams died and were seen floating on the water.

Families in the area started to get into the fish-raising business years ago, attracted by potentially high profits. They had spent everything on the fish farm and now it's all been washed away.

Tran Ba Bien, a farmer in Tan Hai Village said, "The colour of the water changed on that day. It's highly likely that the water has been polluted by the livestock and poultry feed processing plants in Hai Thanh District."

A fish flour processing company, and several households that earn their livings from steaming and drying fish are located along the river.

Vice-Chairman of Hai Thanh Commune People's Committee said they have sent officials to assess the damage and will report the losses to the district authorities.

Meanwhile local farmers are waiting for a reasonable explanation for the sudden death of so many fish.