DONG THAP (VNS)— About 40 tonnes of red tilapias worth over VND1 billion (US$47,700) have died en masse in Thanh Binh town and Tan Thanh commune in the southern province of Dong Thap over the last few days.

Local farmers said that harvesting was nearly finished when the fish died, leaving them at a huge loss as they had already taken deposits from traders.

The deaths were initially attributed to pollution from the river water, caused by pesticide residue from discharged field water. Samples of the water have been taken for testing. — VNS