The Hoa Binh Sugarcane and Sugar JSC will pay more than VNĐ1.4 billion (US$62,790 ) as compensation to the households that suffered from the mass fish deaths along the Bưởi River.

This was announced by the People’s Committee of central Thanh Hoa Province’s Thach Thanh District.

Yesterday, heads of the company held a meeting with the provincial authority on the mass fish deaths along the Buoi River, which had adversely affected the local farmers. The company was blamed for discharging untreated waste water into the river, causing the deaths of tens of tonnes of fish.

Although no official conclusion was announced by the authorised agencies, the company admitted to discharging 250-300cu.m. of untreated wastewater per day into the river in late April and early May, polluting the river and impacting the life of the local people in 15 communes in Thach Thanh District and seven communes in Vinh Loc District.

The river had reported turned a muddy blue color and had even started to smell recently. More than 17 tons of fish were killed affecting 34 households in Thach Thanh District.

The committee said compensation will be given according to the market price of VNĐ80,000 per kg.

The company has been ordered to pay the compensation by May 18.

The committee also asked the company to provide rice to 71 households affected by the polluted water for the next six months. Representative of the company said they would consider the committee’s proposal and respond shortly.

VNS