At least 40 tonnes of dead fish wash up on shore of polluted Lebanese lake
Activists have warned for years of water pollution caused by sewage and waste
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 40 tonnes of dead fish have washed up on the banks of a polluted river in Lebanon, engulfing a nearby village in the stench.
Volunteers collected the remains near the Qaraoun lake on Lebanon’s longest river, the Litani, where activists have warned of water pollution caused by sewage and waste for years.
Piles of rubbish could be seen drifting in the lake near thousands of decomposing fish, with swarms of flies spreading near the reservoir.
Ahmad Askar, a local activist, said: “This phenomenon appeared on the shore of the lake several days ago. The fish started floating up and in abnormal quantities... it’s unacceptable.”
Mr Askar and local fishermen described the sheer amount of fish that washed up was unprecedented.
They called on the Litani river authority to find the cause and go after anyone dumping wastewater into the lake.
This week the river authority said the fish were toxic and carried a virus and people were to avoid fishing all along the Litani due to “an aggravated disaster that threatens public health”.
The pollution prompted a ban since 2018 on fishing in the reservoir, which was created in 1959 with a large dam to collect water for hydropower and irrigation.
Last month, volunteers removed clumps of sticky tar from some beaches along the Lebanese coast after an oil spill which environmentalists warned would harm marine life.
Ecological disasters are the last thing Lebanon needs as it suffers through an alarming financial collapse and the aftermath of a huge explosion that devastated Beirut port in August last year.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments