Vo Hai Quan, chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Trach Commune, said on October 2 that local authorities had inspected the area and reported the incident to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment for investigation.
The fish were first discovered on the afternoon of October 1, when residents found sardines, herring and other small fish dead along more than 1km of coastline in Tan Ly Village, Dong Trach Commune.
Dead fish washes up on the shore in Dong Trach Commune, Quang Tri Province (Photo: Minh Phuong).
After discovering the dead fish, some residents notified local authorities and collected the carcasses in sacks and foam boxes to prevent unpleasant odours and potential environmental pollution.
"It is not yet clear why the fish washed ashore. Residents have collected and buried the dead fish to prevent them from causing a bad smell, but the exact cause will have to wait for the authorities to investigate," said Hoang Minh Hoa, 50, a Dong Trach resident.
Some locals said the dead fish showed unusual signs, with some having blood around their mouths, raising suspicions that they may have been killed by blast fishing. However, this is only a local observation and there is currently no evidence establishing the cause of death.
Residents use polystyrene boxes to collect the dead fish to avoid environmental pollution (Photo: Minh Phuong).
Dead fish have also washed ashore in neighbouring Bac Trach Commune, although in smaller numbers.
Authorities are continuing to inspect the affected coastal areas and determine the cause of the fish deaths.
