The Provincial People's Committee directed to inspect and report the unusual fish deaths on Nam Huong stream (Quy Hop) before July 10.
The case of unusual fish deaths on Nam Huong stream through Chau Thanh commune was reported by the People's Committee of Quy Hop district to the Provincial People's Committee via Document 263/BC-UBND dated July 3, 2024.
The incident of Nam Huong stream passing through Chau Thanh commune (Quy Hop) turning yellow and having dead fish was reported by Nghe An electronic newspaper on July 2, 3, and 7, 2024 in the articles "Take samples for testing to clarify the cause of unusual fish deaths in Quy Hop”; “Identify the source of wastewater with signs of pollution causing unusual fish deaths in Bac stream (Quy Hop)”;“The Nam Huong stream water (Quy Hop) changed color because Thiec Ha An Company Ltd. discharged waste in violation of regulations.”
On July 3, 2024, the People's Committee of Quy Hop district reported to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment about this incident via Document No. 263/BC-UBND. Here, the People's Committee of Quy Hop district reported on the inspection work, the implementation of warnings to people in related communes not to fish or use water from Nam Huong stream for daily activities; at the same time, raised suspicions that the incident was caused by tin ore mining activities.
Thereby, the People's Committee of Quy Hop district requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant departments and branches to help Quy Hop district find the cause of the fish deaths to ensure water sources for daily life and production for local people, and have answers for the People's Committees of communes and people, avoiding the current state of confusion.
On July 4, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued Document No. 5603/UBND-NN on inspection and handling of the case of unusual fish deaths in Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district.
The document states: “Considering the request of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 4472/STNMT-BVMT dated July 4, 2024 regarding the unusual fish deaths in Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district; the request of the People's Committee of Quy Hop district in Report No. 263/BC-UBND dated July 3, 2024;
Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De commented:
Assign the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the People's Committee of Quy Hop district and relevant agencies to urgently inspect and determine the cause of environmental pollution (turbid water, unusual fish deaths, etc.) in the Nam Huong stream area, Cai village, Chau Thanh commune to advise the Provincial People's Committee, propose competent authorities to strictly handle violations (if any) according to the provisions of law; report to the Provincial People's Committee before July 10, 2024".
Grasping the implementation of the direction of the Provincial People's Committee in Document No. 5603/UBND-NN, it is known that on the morning of July 8, 2024, at the mine area of Ha An Tin Company Limited, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will organize a meeting with relevant parties.
Participants in the meeting included the People's Committee of Quy Hop district, the People's Committee of Chau Thanh commune; Thiec Ha An Company Limited. On the side of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, there were representatives of the Environmental Protection Sub-Department and the Minerals Department. The Nghe An Center for Natural Resources and Environment Monitoring (under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment) was designated as the unit for analyzing environmental samples.