Heat wave kills 200 tonnes of fish in Orbetello

FLORENCE, ITALY – A recent heat wave has caused 200 tonnes of fish to suffocate from lack of oxygen in the Orbetello lagoon in the Maremma coastal area of Tuscany over three days, forest rangers said.

“The lack of oxygen in the water which caused the animals’ death was certainly due to the great heat,” forest rangers said in a note.

“We are investigating possible responsibilities on the part of individuals who failed to enact necessary preventive measures”. Fish already on the market is safe to eat and people can safely bathe at lagoon-area beaches, the rangers said.