Local authorities have launched an investigation after a large number of dead fish were discovered 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 that a large quantity of dead fish had been found along the riverbank near the south end of Beonyeong Bridge in Nam-gu, Ulsan.

An inspection of the site by the environmental group this morning showed that the carcasses were distributed over a 600-meter section, stretching from about 150 meters upstream to about 400 to 500 meters downstream of Beonyeong Bridge.

Most of the dead fish measured about 10 to 15 centimeters in length, and clusters of 10 to 30 fish had washed ashore in various spots along the riverbank.

The environmental group stated that the carcasses were found in clusters at least 20 locations, estimating that the total scale of the mortality exceeds 500 fish.

While the environmental group has raised the possibility that pollutants may have 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, said, "We received a report last evening and checked the site this morning, and many fish carcasses were still floating in the river. Testing of the carcasses and river water is necessary to uncover the cause of death."

The Nam-gu District Office in Ulsan, the competent local government, is collecting the dead fish from the scene and investigating the circumstances of the deaths.

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

(Photo provided by Ulsan Federation for Environmental Movements, Yonhap News)