SULFURIC acid entered the victims, cooking their insides. Slowly, the oxygen supply was cut off, driving the sufferers to flip madly and gasp for air. Many chose mass suicide over an agonizing death. They jumped into the air, and came back down  shaking from deadly seizures. Massacre would have been a gentle term to describe it.

The fatalities did not involve humans but 50 tons of tilapia worth some P4 milion in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

The fishkill occurred as a result of ‘kamahong’ which triggers the rise of sulfuric acid and reduction of dissolved oxygen in the lake water. The fish are then forced to get oxygen directly from the atmosphere, killing them.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) officials yesterday flew to Lake Sebu to examine the affected fish cages.

BFAR Director Asis Perez theorized that climate change in the area depleted dissolved oxygen in the lake, resulting in the fishkill.

Perez, however, assured the public that the supply of fish would not be affected.


Beware of double-dead fish

Reports quoted Rex Vargas, provincial fishery coordinator, as warning consumers to avoid eating tilapia from Lake Sebu. A provincial health officer said eating double-dead tilapia could cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhea.