The department also reported the incident to the municipal People’s Committee, it said on Monday.

Earlier, local residents in Lien Chieu District’s Hoa Khanh Nam Ward discovered that Anh Duong Environmental Services One Member Co. Ltd had transported and dumped tonnes of black waste at the Khanh Son dumping site to be buried there.

Observed by reporters, the waste was dumped on the area of 500 square metres.

Many holes with the depth of four metres were covered by canvas. Bags of waste were seen scattered in the area, which turned red after remaining under the sun for a while.

Local residents asked the company what kind of waste it was, but received no replies. They have reported the incident to local authorities as they fear toxic waste might harm the environment.

On August 12, local authorities had inspected the scene and asked the company to halt the burial of waste. Waste samples were taken for tests.

The total waste was estimated to be more than 30 tonnes.

Nguyen Huu Thiet, vice chairman of Lien Chieu District’s People’s Committee, said that the company owned business operation licences granted by the city.

The committee has asked the city authorities to investigate the origin of the waste and its hazard levels. The results should be announced soon to local residents, he said. 

Nguyen Dang My Uyen, director of Anh Duong Environmental Services One Member Co. Ltd said that the amount of waste was collected from Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone and a company in the north for burial.

The company agreed to take the waste as it assumed it contained no toxic substances. 

VNS