The major cleanup operation at the beach of Volos is ongoing due to the dead fish.

So far, 57 tons of fish have been removed by the cleanup crews, who continue their work primarily using rakes. Additionally, according to ERT, the Karla sluice gate has been closed and a special net has been installed at the mouth of the Xirias River.

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The boats involved in the cleanup operation have begun working in areas between the vessels docked in the port of Volos and centrally, where there is significant difficulty due to the risk of damaging boats.

Lawsuit by the Local Chamber of Commerce Against All Responsible Parties

On Wednesday (August 28), the Volos Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against all responsible parties for the thousands of dead fish in the Pagasitic Gulf.

According to the announcement, the lawsuit is “against all responsible parties, natural or moral instigators, direct or simple accomplices, and concerns offenses of dereliction of duty, exposure, environmental degradation (pollution), defamation, Article 15 of the Penal Code or any other offense that may arise, at the Volos Court of Misdemeanors.”

The Chamber of Commerce emphasizes that the appearance of the dead fish inundating the coast of the Pagasitic Gulf is “the culmination of a damaging summer period for local economic sectors. According to testimonies and journalistic reports, the intense stench along the coastline reaching up to 28th October Street causes feelings of aversion and disgust, resulting in reports from business owners in the area of up to an 80% decrease in customers and a huge blow to Volos tourism.”

It is also noted that “the effects of the floods are still visible, the commercial market is equally affected due to reduced tourist visits, and there is a major pollution problem from the dead fish washed out from Lake Karla into the Pagasitic Gulf and from the negligence of sluice management during water drainage. The economic damage is predictable as the tourist season is abruptly interrupted and could last until the end of September. The coastal businesses are suspending operations, and due to the connection between these two economic sectors with trade, the consequences for our sector will be significant.”

The lawsuit states that the Pagasitic Gulf has been inundated with millions of dead fish and possibly other “floating” materials, resulting in severe pollution of the Pagasitic Gulf and the surrounding area, leading to immediate threats to public health, significant damage to the area’s reputation, a dramatic decrease in tourist traffic, irreparable economic damage to our businesses, and broader impacts on the local economy.

“After related research and information, it appears that the main cause of this pollution is that the sluice gate of Lake Karla remained (incorrectly and possibly illegally) open for an extended period, allowing, through the Xirias stream, the polluted waters of the overflowing Lake Karla and the flooded Parakarlia areas, along with freshwater fish, to flow into the Pagasitic Gulf for a prolonged period,” adds the Chamber of Commerce.

Prosecutorial Intervention for the Dead Fish in the Pagasitic

It is noted that the Chief Prosecutor of the Volos Court of First Instance has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation into the dead fish from Lake Karla ending up in the Pagasitic Gulf.

Through the prosecutorial investigation, assigned to the Central Port Authority of Volos, the quality of the seawater will be examined, measurements will be taken at accredited laboratories, and the microbial load at the mouth of Lake Karla will be assessed. The investigation will also determine if there is pollution and the cause of the fish deaths, and whether it is due to a toxic substance.

As part of the prosecutorial investigation, the Port Authority will gather information from the Region and the Municipality of Volos about nearby beaches in the Urban Complex, such as Anavros, Alykes, and Nea Anchialos, and whether there is any correlation with the Region and Municipality of Volos.

The investigation will be conducted by the Central Port Authority of Volos and will be overseen by a deputy prosecutor.