Sudden Appearance of Yellowish Water and Dead Fish on Soliman Beach Sparks Outrage
The sudden appearance of yellowish water and the discovery of dead fish on Soliman beach, in the Nabeul governorate, has caused shock and anger among residents and vacationers. Known for the cleanliness of its waters and very popular during the summer season, this northeastern Tunisian beach presented an unrecognizable face on Friday, September 19.
According to eyewitnesses, the sea changed color in a matter of hours, raising serious concerns about possible marine pollution of unknown origin at the moment. In the face of the gravity of the situation, an official delegation led by the Minister of the Environment visited the site on Sunday, September 21. He was accompanied by the Director General of the Agency for the Protection and Development of the Coast, as well as regional officials in charge of sanitation and the coast, to inspect the affected area and witness the damage firsthand, according to the information gathered.
The day before, on Saturday, September 20, a commission composed of representatives from the national security, national guard, Soliman municipality, regional health department, National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM), and the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE) had already visited the site to make initial observations.
The commission members inspected three critical points on the coast, precisely at the mouths of the Seltène, El Bey, and Bzikh wadis. Samples of fresh water, seawater, sand, and dead fish specimens were collected for analysis. The INSTM and ANPE were tasked with conducting the necessary examinations to identify the exact origin of this pollution. Meanwhile, the municipal services proceeded to collect and bury the dead fish, in accordance with current environmental standards.
According to initial indications, all the wadi mouths would currently be closed, thus ruling out direct pollution from these watercourses. The authorities are leaning towards contamination from the southern suburbs of Tunis, carried to the coast of Soliman by sea winds.
Local and national authorities remain mobilized and assure that they are closely monitoring the situation. The results of the analyses are now eagerly awaited, while residents are demanding explanations and immediate measures to protect their coastline.
