Severe flooding in Greece’s Pagasetic Gulf has led to an ecological and economic disaster, with hundreds of thousands of dead fish inundating the area. Video footage shows a sea of rotting fish off the port of Volos, forcing officials to dispose of the massive amount of dead marine life. The stench has deterred customers, causing an 80% decline in commercial activity in the area, according to the Volos Chamber of Commerce. So far, 100 tons of dead fish have been collected and incinerated.
Last year’s floods in central Greece, which killed at least 10 people, are believed to have contributed to the current crisis by shifting water levels and creating the conditions for the mass die-off of fish. Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos has criticized the government for not preventing the disaster, warning of potential environmental consequences for other species in the area. The cleanup efforts have been ongoing, with a local restaurant owner estimating that 90% of the dead fish have been removed as of Thursday. Residents and business owners are grappling with the overwhelming smell and the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding.
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