The State Service for Food Safety Investigates Dead Fish Discovered in Stepanavan

In the city of Stepanavan, located in the Lori region, locals have discovered a large number of dead fish in the Chknagh River. This information is reported by shamshyan.com, citing reports from Stepanavan residents.

According to residents, the cause of the fish deaths is the wastewater leaking from a gold mine located in the village of Armanis, which pours into the river after first filling the Zoraget channel.

The authorities, including the Stepanavan division of the police, have been informed about the incident, and materials are being prepared on the fact. The food safety inspection authority has also learned about the incident through the media. Anush Harutyunyan, head of the information and public relations department of the State Service for Food Safety (SSFS), stated to Sputnik Armenia that the publication by shamshyan.com has been accepted as a signal, prompting an investigation.

“The materials have been sent to the SSFS's territorial center in Stepanavan. If there are dead fish on-site, an examination may be conducted. However, if it turns out that the villagers are correct, and the reason for the fish deaths is chemical substances, then this is undoubtedly an environmental issue,” said Anush Harutyunyan.

According to her, preliminary data will be available by late evening today.