A band of discoloured water extending several dozen metres appeared close to shore, contrasting sharply with the sea’s usual blue and fuelling speculation on social media about a potential red tide.
One local resident said similar discolouration had occurred in recent months, attributing it to red soil washed into the sea after storms and insisting the water was not toxic.
Nguyen Van Hoa, chairman of Hoai Nhon Bac Ward People’s Committee, said preliminary assessments suggested the phenomenon could be linked to seasonal algal growth, though further checks were needed to confirm the cause and evaluate any impact.
Red tide refers to a dense bloom of algae in coastal or brackish waters that can change the colour of the sea. Some blooms release toxins or deplete oxygen levels, harming fish and other marine life and potentially posing risks to human health through contaminated seafood.
