Scores of 10cm Dead Fish Found Lined Up Along Riverbanks

Local authorities have launched an investigation after a massive number of dead fish were found in the lower reaches of the Taehwa River in Ulsan.

According to the Ulsan Federation for Environmental Movements today (October 29), a report was received last night stating that a large quantity of dead fish had been found along the riverbank near the southern end of Beonyeong Bridge in Nam-gu, Ulsan.

When environmental groups checked the site this morning, the dead fish were found distributed across a 600-meter section, starting from about 150 meters upstream of Beonyeong Bridge to about 400 to 500 meters downstream.

Most of the dead fish were between 10 and 15 centimeters in length, and had washed ashore in clusters of 10 to 30 at various points along the riverbank.

Environmental groups stated that the dead fish were found in clusters at least 20 locations, estimating the total scale of the mortality to be over 500 fish.

While environmental groups have raised the possibility that pollutants flowed into the stream, the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Lee Sang-beom, policy director for the Ulsan Federation for Environmental Movements, stated, "We received a report last evening and checked the site this morning to find that many fish carcasses were still floating in the river. Tests on the dead fish and river water are necessary to uncover the cause of death."

Nam-gu Office in Ulsan, the competent local government, is collecting the dead fish at the site and investigating the circumstances of the deaths.

An official from the Nam-gu Office explained, "Ulsan City has decided to conduct a water quality test," adding, "The species of the dead fish and the exact scale can be determined only after the on-site inspection is completed."

(Photo provided by Ulsan Federation for Environmental Movements, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.