The Ministry of Industry and Trade said a shortage of oxygen was responsible for the recent mass fish deaths in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.

Dead fish are collected in packets before being buried. 

The deaths were not related to the discharge of water by the Plei Krong hydropower reservoir in Đăk Hà District, as reported by the media recently.

On July 14, Dan tri online newspaper reported that the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department confirmed the mass fish deaths in the reservoir, which had nearly 72 tonnes of fish in 28 cages.

Some media reports also said the quick discharge of water in the reservoir was to blame for the fish deaths.

However, following inspection, the provincial Industry and Trade Department and relevant agencies said after discharging water, the water level on July 11 decreased only 1m instead of 7m, as claimed in media reports earlier.

The Ialy Hydropower Company reported the situation to the Electricity of Viet Nam so that it could provide support to farmers to resume production quickly.

On July 14, local authorities took water and fish samples for testing.

The province also requested the industry and trade department to review the operation of the hydropower reservoir and reservoirs of business establishments in the region.

The police will work with the environment department to inspect the discharge of water of businesses. 

VNS