Several tons of dead fish in the Oder - Brandenburg's Minister of the Environment raises allegations against Poland
Created: 08/11/2022, 20:51
By: Kai Hartwig
Thousands of dead fish are floating in several regions on the banks of the Oder.
The population should avoid the water of the river.
Brandenburg criticizes Poland.
Potsdam – A massive fish kill along the Oder is currently a mystery.
The exact reasons for this are still unclear.
Meanwhile, dead fish are being found in more and more places in Brandenburg.
According to the local administrative authority, the Oder section in the Uckermark district was also affected on Thursday (August 11).
It was said that a large number of cadavers had been found.
Large fish deaths in the Oder: thousands of dead animals – the population should avoid contact with river water
In the meantime, the State Criminal Police Office in Brandenburg has also started investigations into the fish kill.
Authorities had taken water samples that are currently being evaluated.
Official warnings had already been given to the population to avoid contact with the water from the Oder.
These remained for the time being.
The mood on the border with Poland is depressed.
The residents are extremely worried about the large fish kill in the Oder, which is currently also struggling with low water.
Based on eyewitness reports, the State Office for the Environment in Brandenburg assumes several tons of dead fish.
There are dead fish on the banks of the Oder near Ziegenwerder Island in Frankfurt (Oder).
© Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa
Fish deaths in the Oder: Brandenburg's Minister of the Environment criticizes Poland - "Reporting channels not observed"
Meanwhile, criticism of Poland is growing that the neighboring country did not inform the German authorities in good time.
Brandenburg's Environment Minister Axel Vogel told RBB on Thursday (August 11) that "only third parties and the media knew that solvents were released on a larger scale, which may be partly responsible for the fish kill".
"It can be seen that the agreed reporting channels were not followed and that we therefore do not have a lot of information that we should have had," added the Greens politician.
Vogel assumes that the Brandenburg state laboratory will have the results of sample tests by the weekend.
It is also being examined whether dredging on the Polish side or the discharge of untreated sewage played a role.
Numerous fish carcasses also collect on the banks of the Oder near Brieskow-Finkenheerd.
© Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa
also read
Environment Minister: Signs of toxic substance in Oder
Search for triggers for fish kills: indication of toxin
An explanation for the great fish kill has not yet been found in Poland either.
According to a statement from the water authority in Wroclaw at the beginning of August, it is possible that a substance with strong oxidizing properties got into the water.
In addition, the toxic substance mesitylene was detected in two places.
The local public prosecutor's office is also investigating a possible environmental crime.
On the other hand, the Polish environmental protection agency stated on Thursday that current water samples were uncontaminated.
How humans pollute the environment
View photo gallery
Poland: Volunteers complain of "skin irritation" after disposing of the fish carcasses from the Oder
The Polish population has made accusations against the authorities.
Voices were raised that no one had been warned not to eat fish from the Oder and not to bathe in the river.
Dead fish were found in Poland at the end of July and water samples were taken.
Poland's television channel
TVN24
showed pictures of volunteers on Thursday (11 August).
They took masses of dead fish out of the river.
One of the helpers complained in the post that he got red skin irritation on his hands after touching the water.
On the German side, the disposal of the fish carcasses on the banks of the Oder is still being prepared, as the Märkisch-Oderland district announced.
According to a spokesman, the aim is to attract birds and snakes that eat carrion.
Don't ask for help from the public to collect the carcasses, the disposal should be coordinated.
(kh with dpa)
