Fish deaths in central Vietnam: Press denied access to 'closed meeting' of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with Ha Tinh province

On the morning of April 23, once again, many reporters interested in the information about the fish deaths in the central region were disappointed when they were denied access to the "closed meeting" between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province.

Mass fish deaths are causing misery for local people. They expect authorities to soon clarify the cause.

According to the schedule, at 10:15 this morning, April 23, the working group of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had a meeting with the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province. Therefore, many reporters from many central press agencies were interested in the information about the fish deaths in the central region that is "hot" in public opinion, and approached to collect information.

However, when approaching the meeting room on the 5th floor of the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee, the reporters were informed that this was a "closed meeting" and asked for the press's understanding, so the reporters had to leave disappointed. The content of the meeting was not disclosed. The meeting schedule notice board of the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee was also left blank, not stating what the meeting was about.

Many reporters came with the desire to access the content of the "closed meeting" between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province at 10:15 this morning but were refused and had to wait outside the door before returning.

Previously, on the morning of April 22, the working group of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had a meeting with the Vung Ang 1 Thermal Power Plant (Ky Loi Commune, Ky Anh Town, Ha Tinh), many reporters came but were also denied access. In the afternoon of the same day, the working group of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment continued to have a meeting with Hung Nghiep Formosa Steel Company Limited (the company with a giant underground pipeline discharging waste into the sea that the public is very concerned about whether it is the culprit of the pollution that caused the fish deaths), the press was also unable to access.

After the fish deaths, nearly 20 days have passed, and public opinion is very concerned. The Government and many central ministries have directed urgent investigation of the cause, remediation of the consequences, environmental treatment, and stabilization of production... However, as of April 22, the leaders of Ha Tinh province have not yet been present at the scene to inspect, direct the handling, and encourage the people who suffered losses because they are busy focusing on perfecting the leadership apparatus.

According to laodong.com.