Khe Hai Beach polluted by strange black water

A strange black strip of water has raised public concerns about marine pollution at Khe Hai Beach in Quang Ngai Province.

A strange black strip of water has raised public concerns about marine pollution at Khe Hai Beach in Quang Ngai Province.

  

Khe Hai Beach polluted by strange black water

On November 4, a 2 km strip of blackish water was detected at Khe Hai beach. Whenever the waves swashed on the beach, the sand would turn black or yellow.

Near the polluted area is Dung Quat Economic Zone with many companies and factories. The locals in Binh Thuan Commune fear that something from the economic zone may be polluting the sea.

Nguyen Kieu Oanh, a trader at Khe Hai Beach, said the sea had been polluted about a week ago. At first, the locals thought that it was an oil spill from the trapped ship nearby but after examining the trails, they realised that there was no oil.

"I've worked here for years but I have never seen anything like this. We don't know the cause but we are very worried. If this problem is not dealt with, Khe Hai Beach will lose visitors," Oanh said.

Binh Son District Department of Natural Resources and Environment had arrived at the scene to collect samples. Vo Van Dong, chairman of Binh Son People's Council, said they and the Department of Environmental Protection in Central Region and Central Highlands also visited the scene.

"The seawater has never turned black before. We'll report to the higher authorities for directives after investigating the scene," Dong said.