HÀ NỘI — Specific measures must be deployed to deal with the consequences of massive fish deaths, and to avoid similar environmental disasters, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said this afternoon in central Hà Tĩnh Province.

The Prime Minister made his comments while chairing a meeting with local authorities from those provinces affected by the fish deaths.

Deputy Prime Ministers Trịnh Đình Dũng, Vũ Đức Đam and leaders of ministries and State agencies were among the attendees.

The Prime Minister urged ministers to seek solutions so that fishermen can continue fishing as usual, while assigning the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with relevant ministries and sectors to probe the causes of the fish deaths and called for help from foreign experts, if necessary.

Violations by any organisation or individuals must be brought to light, based upon scientific evidence and without any protection. The Government was determined to protect the legitimate interests of residents, he added.

Additionally, fishermen would be assisted, in terms of materials and selling fish, he affirmed.

In another move, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà has set up an inspection team, which includes domestic and foreign experts, to independently monitor and analyse waste water released to the sea by enterprises beginning May 5. The inspection will focus on the area around Vũng Áng economic zone in Hà Tĩnh Province.

Earlier last month, massive fish deaths were reported along beaches in four coastal central provinces, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, and Thừa Thiên - Huế. As of April 25, as many as 70 tonnes of dead fish were reported.

On April 27, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced initial investigations into the incident, blaming it on toxic chemicals released by human activities on land or at sea, along with the red tie phenomenon - when dangerous algae occurs at an abnormal rate and produces toxins. — VNS