Did toxic rocket fuel kill sea creatures in Russian ‘ecological disaster’?
- Greenpeace said activists found yellowish foam on the ocean’s surface and dead sea animals
- People who got into the waters complained of sore throats, burns to their corneas
Water pollution in Russia’s Kamchatka region that caused sea creatures to wash up dead on beaches prompted fears that rocket fuel stored in the region’s military testing grounds could have leaked out.
The water pollution came to light late last month after local surfers reported stinging eyes and said the water had changed colour and developed an odour. Officials later confirmed the surfers had suffered mild burns to their corneas.
Then locals witnessed large numbers of dead sea creatures including seals, octopuses and sea urchins washed up onto a black-sanded beach popular with tourists.
The regional governor, Vladimir Solodov, said Monday that the sea off the remote Kamchatka peninsula may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals as Greenpeace warned of an “ecological disaster” for marine life.
Officials have said tests soon after found above-permitted levels of phenol and petroleum products.