Barrels of suspected chemical waste are found in Hòa Bình Canal in northern Hải Phòng City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HẢI PHÒNG — The People’s Committee of northern Hải Phòng City has called for an investigation into the illegal dumping of 27 barrels of suspected chemical waste into the city's Hòa Bình Canal.

The canal, located in Dương Kinh District’s Anh Dũng Ward, connects with the Đa Độ River and supplies water for residents.

The committee made the decision after 27 barrels, believed to contain chemical waste, were found in Hòa Bình Canal on July 29.

The barrels, which contained a light blue liquid, were recovered and stored by Đa Độ Irrigation Exploitation One Member Company Ltd.

Vũ Quang Hưng, head of the company’s Dương Kinh Irrigation Exploitation Unit, told Vietnam News Agency that workers on duty noticed that the water had a blue colour.

The company mobilised more than 50 workers to search for the cause of the incident. As many as 27 barrels were found along the canal.

The committee has told authorised agencies to quickly take samples from the barrels for tests to identify the chemical waste inside and propose solutions on dealing with the chemicals. 

The city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment has taken test samples.

The committee has also assigned the city police to work with Dương Kinh District’s People’s Committee to investigate and find the culprit who illegally dumped the chemicals. The results of the work must be reported to the committee.

Last month, black-coloured waste illegally dumped on a road in Vĩnh Bảo District was discovered after a man was burnt when touching the waste. The case is still under investigation. — VNS