A mass fish kill has been recorded in Lake Lichevo, in the village of Cherkaskyi Byshkin in the Kharkiv region. The cause of this local ecological disaster is as yet unknown. Environmental inspectors are working to determine the cause, and the police have opened a criminal investigation.
This was reported by the Ministry of Economy and the Environment.
Crucian carp, common carp, pike — in total, more than 9,000 fish died in the water body. This was discovered during an inspection by specialists from the State Environmental Inspectorate in the Kharkiv region, who travelled to the scene.
"During a visual inspection, no signs of pollutant discharge were detected across the terrain. In order to establish the causes of the death of aquatic biological resources, inspectors took samples of surface water for laboratory analysis," the Ministry of Economy added.
The results of the laboratory tests have not yet been made public.
Source: Kharkiv Regional Police
For their part, the police are investigating exactly how the lake was polluted, as well as identifying those who may be involved.
The Kharkiv Regional Police have reported that they have opened criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 242 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The case concerns a breach of water protection regulations.
At the same time, the Kharkiv Fisheries Protection Patrol warns:
"Catching or eating this fish is extremely dangerous to your health! No method of food preparation (heating, boiling, frying, drying or curing) makes it safe to eat. The fish may contain pathogens that cause serious infectious diseases or hazardous chemicals."
EcoPolitic previously reported that fish in the water bodies of Sofiivska Borshchahivka had likely died en masse as a result of the discharge of untreated sewage.
Cases of mass mortality were recorded in the Lviv, Odesa and Chernivtsi regions as well.
