Vice-Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, Le Duc Giang (left) came to check the polluted Quyen and Chang rivers in Nhu Xuan District on April 21
Vice-Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, Le Duc Giang, came to check the polluted Quyen and Chang rivers in Nhu Xuan District on April 21 after the issue was reported.
At the site, more than 10 kilometres of the rivers had turned black. Lots of dead fish were seen, emitting a bad smell.
Earlier, the Khanh Nam Timber Company was found discharging untreated wastewater directly into the rivers on April 13.
Local authorities in Nhu Xuan District issued a fine of VND 50 million and suspended the company's operation.
During the visit, the official asked concerned agencies to work with the company to urgently deal with the pollution and compensate local residents for the damage they have caused.
"We always want to create favourable conditions for all firms to operate in the area, but we won't exchange economic development for the environment," he said. "Any firms which damage the environment will be strictly punished."