Lab test results on Athalassa dead fish next week

The reasons behind the sudden death of hundreds of fish in the Athalassa lake in Nicosia will be known by the end of the week when laboratory tests are concluded, the environment ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said it immediately began investigations and took samples for laboratory tests, including for the possible growth of phytoplankton and histopathological tests of dead fish.

The results are expected by the end of next week.

In the meantime, the forestry department is removing the dead fish, which appeared on Friday, from the pond.

So far, there does not appear to be any danger for human health or other living beings in the area, the ministry said.

It added that phenomena of increased mortality of fish occur as the result of natural changes in the ecosystem, without any human intervention.

Nevertheless, state services are on alert and are monitoring the situation and taking corrective action to minimise the chances of it occurring again.