The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has asked to continue monitoring 19 beaches in the four central provinces polluted by the mass fish deaths following a toxic leak from the Formosa Ha Tinh steel plant.
The authorities of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces have been asked to publish the results. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will also publish the results on its website.
"The local authorities must closely monitor and report to the ministry for instruction and support if anything unusual occurs," the ministry said in the directive.
After the ministry issued an instruction to monitor 19 central beaches on June 26, results showed that there were no major changes in the sea water quality. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha confirmed on November 16 that it was safe for fish farming and swimming.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has confirmed that the water in the four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue was safe for fish farming and swimming.
Talking about the responsibilities of officials in regards to the Formosa case, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien said on November 17 that they had reviewed and reprimanded the ministry's party affairs committee. The committee said they would accept any kind of punishment from the government.
Hien said former Minister Nguyen Minh Quang had retired and wasn't a member of the committee so he didn't have to take responsibility but Quang said he would accept any disciplinary measures.
The committee also proposed not to hold Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan responsible as he only took over the position a few days before the accident occurred. The Central Inspection Commission is still investigating individual responsibilities.
