Fish have died in the Euphrates river for unknown causes, provoking damages to those living on them.

It is still unclear whether the fish died from virus or polluted water.

Iraqi authorities continue their investigation of water and dead fish, while fish rearers want the state to compensate for the pecuniary damage.

Hundreds of thousands of carp were destroyed in the Babil region south of the Euphrates River in the south of Iraq. Fish rearers want to investigate the cause of fish death, as what caused it, either dirty water or a virus, is still not clear.

Hussein Faraj, a fish rearer said: “Some people say the death are caused by a virus, while other say it depends on chemical substances”. Faraj says the government needs to find a solution by analyzing the water.

The region, known for its delicious grilled carp, produces 29 thousand tons of fish every year. The World Food and Agriculture Organization stated that not only the city of Babel and its surroundings but also the city of Diwaniyah were affected by fish deaths.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health said that tests on water and fish were continuing and that so far no one has complained or has been referred to hospitals because of fish consumption.